New research has revealed a concerning rise in allergic diseases among First Nations Australians, with emergency department (ED) visits for asthma, eczema, and anaphylaxis significantly higher than in the general population. The study, published in The Conversation, found that First Nations people were nearly twice as likely to present to an ED for asthma or allergic conditions compared to other Australians.
Asthma was the most common reason for ED visits, followed by unspecified allergies, eczema, and anaphylaxis. While asthma is a well-documented chronic illness among First Nations Australians, affecting over 16 per cent of the population, researchers were surprised by the elevated rates of other allergic diseases, which have historically received less attention in Indigenous health discourse.
The study also noted a 50 per cent increase in allergic disease-related ED visits between 2018 and 2023, with a notable spike in 2019, possibly linked to the Black Summer bushfires and a severe flu season as triggers for respiratory and allergic responses.
While no food allergy cases were explicitly identified in the data, researchers suggest that some “unspecified” allergies and anaphylaxis cases may be food-related. National survey data shows that 12 per cent of First Nations Australians self-reported an allergy to food, drugs, or other substances, though underreporting and lack of diagnostic access may obscure the true prevalence.
These findings highlight the urgent need for culturally appropriate allergy awareness, diagnosis, and care pathways in First Nations communities, especially given the well documented rise in food allergy prevalence in the general Australian population.
See The Conversation for further details about this investigative study.
