Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fifth leading cause of death and disease burden in Australia. Retrospective studies have supplied alarming statistics that it causes approximately 20 deaths per day. Despite its prevalence, many Australians remain unaware of their condition, leading to a significant health crisis that demands urgent attention.
COPD was diagnosed at age 71, Bert Wessels. He is a true representation of the challenges that so many people encounter while navigating life with this debilitating condition. Simple, everyday things most of us do without thinking are difficult for him. Even making the bed or a short walk to the car can leave him winded. Like you couldn’t tell, countless Australians are living with COPD. This devastating condition imposes an incredible economic cost of $24.98 billion per year due to direct medical expenditures, lost productivity, and diminished quality of life.
Understanding COPD and Its Impact
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease that slowly destroys healthy lung tissue and narrows the airways. This further aggravation results in lowering the oxygen supply to the body. Symptoms can worsen over time, interfering with daily activities and life more broadly.
As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, so did the Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science (ANZSRS). Yet amidst the pandemic, they recommended that general practitioners (GPs) halt spirometry tests—key diagnostic tests for measuring lung function—out of concerns of virus transmission. Recently, updated guidelines have allowed these tests to resume for patients without COVID-19 symptoms, under specific safety measures involving single-use filters to reduce aerosol spread.
Even with these updates, access to spirometry testing is still quite limited. As chair of respiratory medicine group at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Dr Kerry Hancock raised an important red flag. The currently very low Medicare rebate for spirometry testing makes it very difficult for GPs to undertake these essential tests.
“It is completely unacceptable that the spirometry rates remain so stubbornly low.” – Mark Brooke
This continuing saga further illustrates a deeper culture of blame seeping into healthcare. Patients with COPD are denied timely diagnoses, and as a result, appropriate treatment.
The Need for Improved Diagnosis and Treatment
According to experts, the reality of COPD is more under-recognised, underdiagnosed and undertreated than anywhere in Australia. Acknowledging what she called a woeful state of COPD management in the country, Professor Christine Jenkins stated.
“The disease is under-recognised, underdiagnosed [and] undertreated,” – Professor Christine Jenkins
Dr. Hancock called the impact of a 64% decrease in GP billed services for respiratory conditions alarming. He illustrated how these factors have worsened the problems patients experience.
“When you’ve got a 64 per cent drop in the GP-billed services, it’s just incredible,” – Dr. Kerry Hancock
Mark Brooke went further, echoing the call that there is an urgent need to improve diagnostic quality. He called the status quo toxic and discriminatory. This is an awful state of affairs for everyone living with COPD today.
“It’s absolutely clear that we need to do much, much more to improve the quality of diagnosis,” – Mark Brooke
The prescription drug affordability crisis requires urgent action from health officials and policymakers to increase protections for pharma providers and patients alike.
Government Initiatives for Chronic Conditions
The administration is indeed acting on these urgent crises. They are attempting to re-evaluate the national approach to chronic disease, including COPD. A 2023 review conducted by private consultants Ernst & Young could pave the way for improved care and resource allocation towards managing and treating chronic respiratory diseases.
“The review will be instrumental in shaping our approach to chronic conditions in Australia,” stated a spokesperson for the health department. This renewed focus aims to make diagnosis easier and more effective. It hopes to educate other Australians about the dangers of COPD.
Dr. Hancock underscored that collaboration is critical across the healthcare system to drive the changes we need.
“All of us are on the same page; it just requires somebody with the money to say: ‘We’re going to do this.’” – Dr. Kerry Hancock
He warned that not putting a focus on these issues would be a dangerous economy. The long-term costs of untreated chronic conditions such as COPD can add up quickly.
