The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

PRESS RELEASE - JULY 2001

The following information is provided in response to an increasing demand for statistics
and general information on allergy and asthma. If you wish to receive regular press releases on allergy, asthma and immune disease topics in future, please send your email address to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for inclusion on the ASCIA press release email list.

ALLERGY & ASTHMA FAST FACTS

• Allergies occur in around 1 in 3 Australians at some time in their lives
  
• Around 1 in 5 Australians will develop hayfever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema
  
• Approximately 1 in 20 Australian children have a transient food allergy
  
• Allergies account for around 500 000 sick days per year in Australia
  
• There are many common myths about allergy and asthma in the community
  
• Allergies cause a wide range of symptoms which range from hayfever (allergic rhinitis) and eczema to potentially life threatening allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis
  
• Around 4000 Australians per year will have anaphylaxis
  
• Peanut and stinging insect allergies are the most common causes of anaphylaxis
  
• Around 1 in 250 Australians will develop a dangerous allergic reaction to insect stings
  
• Approximately 1 in 200 infants have peanut allergy
  
• Allergy symptoms have a significant impact on quality of life, mood, learning and work performance
  
• Allergy is a chronic disease, lasting between 10 - 20 years in most cases
  
• Allergy is associated with other medical conditions, including asthma and sinusitis
  
• Health expenditure on allergic disease (including asthma) accounts for approximately 20% of health expenditure in Australia
  
• Allergy is predominantly a disease of young people in affluent or developing countries
  
• Although there is no cure for allergy or asthma, effective treatments are available
  
• Treatment options for allergy include:
  
  • Prevention of disease
    
  • Avoidance of allergic triggers
    
  • Medication
    
  • Immunotherapy
    
• Allergy is a major factor associated with the cause and persistence of asthma
  
• Approximately 1 in 10 Australians have had asthma at some time in their lives
  
• 27% of Australian children have symptoms of current asthma
  
• 12% of Australian adults have symptoms of current asthma
  
• The prevalence of allergic disorders has approximately doubled over the last 20 years in all countries in which it has been studied

More detailed information is available @ http://www.allergy.org.au/ under the title
"ASCIA EDUCATION RESOURCES (AER) INFORMATION BULLETINS"

Contact:

Jill Smith,
ASCIA Executive Officer
PO Box 450 Balgowlah
NSW AUSTRALIA 2093

Ph: 02 8900 6402 or 0425 216 402
Fax: 02 9907 9773
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web site: http://www.allergy.org.au/