Australia COPD Index
Rank
(out of 24 countries)
1
Index Score
(out of 100)
71.49
Deaths
(as a % of overall deaths)
5.41%
Smoking Rate
13.6%
Societal Costs
(cost per person)
$1157
Above average performance
Average performance
Below average performance
Australia is the second highest scorer in the Policy Context category, due to the implementation of a comprehensive COPD strategy, care guidelines, and tobacco control laws.
Australia is the second highest scorer in the Policy Context category, only slightly below the United Kingdom and above Spain, due to the implementation of a comprehensive COPD strategy, care guidelines, and tobacco control laws. The Disease Burden score is above average, with an about average societal cost and low prevalence, but a high maternal smoking rate. Australia scores below average in Health System Characteristics, with among the highest rates of COPD hospitalisations and readmissions. On the other hand, Australia’s score in Access and Care Coverage is relatively high, primarily due to the accessibility of telemedicine and remote care, strong care referral pathways, access to diagnosis, and universal health care coverage. Similarly, Australia presents an above-average score in the Environmental Factors category.
How does Australia perform in each category?
Provides further insights into how Australia scores across each Index category
COPD Index Key Takeaways
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following takeaways regarding COPD care in Australia.
Comprehensive COPD national strategy and strong COPD care guidelines, relatively high access to care
Strong tobacco control laws, but need for improvement in maternal smoking rate
Room for improvements in Health System Characteristics, indicating a need for more integrated care
Best Practices for COPD Care
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following best practices regarding COPD care in Australia.
Comprehensive and well implemented COPD-X guidelines and adherence
Funding for spirometry to be conducted by general practitioners
Robust and well-implemented tobacco control policies
Challenges for COPD Care
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following challenges regarding COPD care in Australia.
Despite indications that spirometry is available at the primary care level, there are reports that access to spirometry is still limited, which may delay diagnosis
Pulmonary rehabilitation support is insufficient, delayed diagnosis, disease management challenges
Opportunities for COPD Care
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following opportunities regarding COPD care in Australia.
Incentivise spirometry to improve accuracy and timing of diagnosis
More support for patient empowerment in self-management
Improve service coordination and referral structures
Priorities for COPD Care
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following priorities regarding COPD care in Australia.
Address the fragmented care structure
Reduce health inequalities
Gain and train more human resources for respiratory care
Compare Australia to other countries
Select different countries to see how they scored across each of the 5 categories and overall
Key contributor insights
“[Strongest health care practices for COPD that are currently implemented include.] ... UHC; funding for GP spirometry; national organisations committed to primary care education re COPD (LFA); primary care guidelines and resources to improve diagnosis... Subsided access to wide variety of inhaled medications to improve management “
“[One of the most significant weaknesses is] ... The fragmentation of care and the variation that exists across health services and across different regions with people living in
the more remote areas being at highest risk.”
Sources
You can view the data sources for this country HERE