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Asthma Australia is calling on the Australian Government to close a glaring gap in women’s health checks: asthma.
Women see a doctor throughout their lives for pregnancy care, preventive health checks and menopause support, yet almost no one asks about their breathing. This Asthma Week (1-7 September), Asthma Australia is calling on Australians, healthcare professionals and policymakers to take women’s asthma seriously and ensure it is recognised as a core women’s health issue.
This comes as Asthma Australia shines a spotlight on the impact of asthma on women through its She Needs to Breathe campaign. While women account for 61 per cent of adults living with asthma and are twice as likely to die from the condition as men, asthma remains largely absent from conversations about women’s health, despite affecting one in five Australian women.
Asthma Australia CEO, Kate Miranda, said women are already engaging with the health system at critical stages of life, creating opportunities to identify and manage asthma earlier.
“Women don’t need more appointments. They’re already seeing health professionals throughout their lives for pregnancy care, preventive health and menopause support. What they’re missing is a simple conversation about their breathing.
“We know major life stages can influence asthma symptoms and control, yet too often no one is connecting the dots. Women are left to work it out for themselves, sometimes after years of worsening symptoms.”
This Asthma Week, Asthma Australia is encouraging women to take symptoms such as breathlessness, wheeze, chest tightness and persistent cough seriously, particularly if those symptoms have changed over time.
“Too many women put changes in their breathing down to stress, ageing, pregnancy or menopause.
“Our message is simple: if something has changed, don’t ignore it. Talk to your doctor. A review of your asthma could make a significant difference to your health, wellbeing and quality of life,” Ms Miranda said.
The organisation is also urging GPs and other primary healthcare professionals to consider asthma when women present with respiratory symptoms and to use routine healthcare appointments as an opportunity to discuss respiratory health.
This Asthma Week, Asthma Australia is renewing its call for the Australian Government to put asthma on the Women’s Health Agenda and address what it describes as a longstanding Medicare health check gap for women.
“Women are already attending healthcare appointments throughout their lives. We should be using those opportunities to identify asthma, review symptoms and support women to manage their condition before it becomes a crisis,” Ms Miranda said.
“What isn’t named isn’t measured, monitored or resourced. Asthma affects millions of Australian women, yet it remains largely invisible in women’s health policy.
“It’s time for asthma to be recognised as a women’s health priority and for respiratory health checks to become part of the care women already receive.”
Website: Asthma Week 2026: Asthma and Women – Asthma Australia
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Key statistics
- 1 in 5 Australian women live with asthma.
- Women account for 61 per cent of adults with asthma.
- Women are twice as likely to die from asthma as men.
- Hormonal changes across puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause can affect asthma symptoms and control.
For more information
Contact: Kate Miranda, CEO, Asthma Australia, 0491 137 548
ABOUT
Asthma Australia is the nation’s peak body representing nearly 2.8 million Australians living with asthma. Our work is grounded in evidence and informed by the lived experience of people with asthma. Our programs reflect a commitment to outcomes-focused, equity-driven reform, integrating community insight and clinical expertise to strengthen person centred asthma care.
