COPD data reveals national diagnosis and treatment gap

Today the Commission has released a new Atlas Focus Report examining care for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The report highlights important trends and variation in two critical aspects of care: spirometry and prescribing of COPD long-acting inhalers.

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Key findings include:

  • A 31% national decrease in spirometry use between 2015-16 and 2022-23, despite this being the only way to accurately diagnose COPD
  • A 130% national increase in COPD triple therapy dispensing between 2015-16 and 2022-23, despite guidelines recommending its use only for a select group of COPD patients
  • Lower access to spirometry and inhaled medicines in rural and remote areas, where COPD prevalence is highest.

The findings signal an opportunity for better alignment with evidence-based care and are designed to support health services, clinicians and policymakers in improving outcomes and quality of life for Australians living with COPD.

Explore the online Atlas Focus Report: COPD to examine the geographic variation and trends in national spirometry use and COPD medicines.

Access the Atlas Focus Report

Highlights Report: COPD - 6-page overview of Atlas Focus Report: COPD

Media release: Spirometry in decline: a vital test for COPD left behind

Please share this news with anyone in your network who may be interested.

More information

Visit safetyandquality.gov.au/atlas-copd

Topics
Health conditions, diseases and treatments
Healthcare variation
Primary care
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