Chronic diseases

Health conditions

Asthma

Asthma is a major, long-term disease of the respiratory system that affects both children and adults—it is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Asthma is characterised by inflammation and narrowing of the small airways in the lungs leading to symptoms of cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.

Genetic susceptibility interacting with environmental factors, particularly in early childhood, increases the risk of developing asthma. There are many triggers that cause exacerbations (flare-ups) of asthma including exercise, viral infections, smoke, fumes, pollen, animal fur and feathers and changes in the weather. Asthma cannot be cured but can be managed appropriately with short- or long-term inhalers that open airways, relieves symptoms and reduce inflammation. In severe cases, asthma can lead to death.

Recent evidence suggests there is a link between respiratory syncytial virus infection during infancy and asthma during childhood.1–3 Other risk factors associated with the development of asthma include genetic susceptibility interacting with environmental factors, particularly in early childhood.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

COPD refers to a collection of preventable chronic conditions of the respiratory system that narrow the airways, obstruct airflow, and make it hard to breathe. Breathlessness is a common symptom, as is chronic cough with or without excess production of mucus and unusual tiredness. Some conditions that contribute to COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It was the 5th ranked leading cause of death for males and 5th for females in 2018–2022.4

The most significant risk factor is smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke. Other factors are occupational exposure to dusts and chemicals, air pollution, having asthma, genetics, a history of frequent respiratory infections in early childhood and exposure to burning fuels which primarily occurs in developing countries. Comorbidities such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes can affect COPD and how it is managed.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that controls blood glucose, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Raised blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) is a common effect of diabetes and, if uncontrolled, leads to serious damage to many body systems.

  • Type 1: formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes is characterised by insufficient insulin production that requires daily administration of insulin. The causes of Type 1, and how to prevent it, remain largely unknown, however, it is thought to be due to an auto-immune reaction that destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. There is an increasing body of evidence implicating certain viral infections in the development of Type 1 diabetes.
  • Type 2: formerly called non-insulin dependent diabetes results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin and is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity. Type 2 diabetes used to be seen only in adults, but the prevalence of the disease is rising in younger age groups.
  • Gestational: occurs during pregnancy and is characterised by hyperglycaemia. Leading risk factors are older age, excess body weight, certain racial and ethnic backgrounds, certain medications (for example steroids) and polycystic ovary syndrome. It is the fastest growing type of diabetes in Australia. Poorly controlled gestational diabetes increases the risk of complications during pregnancy and at delivery. Gestational diabetes increases the risk of the infant developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Coronary heart disease

CHD is the most common heart disease within the group of conditions known as cardiovascular diseases (CVD). CHD was the 1st ranked cause of death for males and ranked 2nd for females for the period 2018–2022. It is caused by a build-up of plaque that clogs or narrows coronary arteries and reduces blood flow and oxygen to the heart. Many people are unaware that they have CHD until it causes a heart attack.

Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol and other materials and its build-up is related to things like genetics, age, and modifiable lifestyle factors. While there are several risks that a person cannot change, things such as eating healthier and being active, quitting smoking, controlling weight, diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol can reduce the likelihood of developing this condition, having a heart attack, and improve recovery after a heart attack.

Stroke

Stroke is the most common condition in the CVD group. Stroke is the term commonly applied to events that reduce the blood flow to the brain through either a blocked or burst artery. This leads to the death of brain cells due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients from a lack of blood supply. The impact of stroke differs according to where the damage to the brain occurs. Stoke can occur at any age (including children) but is more common in older adults, particularly men.

Stroke is largely preventable with risk factors including high blood pressure, being overweight, smoking, high cholesterol, high alcohol intake and diabetes. A condition called transient ischaemic attack, in which the blood supply to the brain is blocked temporarily, is an important predictor of stroke.

Dementia

Dementia is a group of conditions which causes deterioration in brain function (for example, memory and cognitive abilities) beyond what is expected from biological ageing. Dementia can result in difficulties with social living and selfcare management. In 2023, it is estimated that 411,100 Australians are living with dementia.5

While dementia is common in older population, it is not a normal part of ageing. It is believed that some types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, are related to lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes.6 Making healthy lifestyle choices, such as balanced diet and regular physical activity, may decrease the risk of development of dementia.7 Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, estimated to comprise more than 60% of dementia cases.8

  1. Coutts J, Fullarton J, Morris C, et al. 2020. Association between respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization in infancy and childhood asthma, Pediatric Pulmonology, 55(5):1104–1110, doi:10.1002/ppul.24676.
  2. Shi T, Ooi Y, Zaw EM, et al. 2020. Association Between Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Acute Lower Respiratory Infection in Early Life and Recurrent Wheeze and Asthma in Later Childhood, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 222(Supplement_7):S628–S633, doi:10.1093/infdis/jiz311.
  3. Rosas-Salazar C, Chirkova T, Gebretsadik T, et al. 2023. Respiratory syncytial virus infection during infancy and asthma during childhood in the USA (INSPIRE): a population-based, prospective birth cohort study, The Lancet, 401(10389):1669–1680, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00811-5.
  4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Mortality Over Regions and Time (MORT) books, doi:10.25816/JJ1A-9Y78.
  5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 2024. Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/burden-of-disease/australian-burden-of-disease-study-2024/contents/about, accessed 12 December 2024.
  6. Barbiellini Amidei C, Fayosse A, Dumurgier J, et al. 2021. Association Between Age at Diabetes Onset and Subsequent Risk of Dementia, JAMA, 325(16):1640, doi:10.1001/jama.2021.4001.
  7. Livingston G, Huntley J, Liu KY, et al. 2024. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission, The LancetS0140673624012960, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0.
  8. Mayo Clinic. 2024. Alzheimer’s disease, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447, accessed 1 October 2024.

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Mental health

Terminology and data sources

Mental illness encompasses a range of clinically diagnosable disorders that impact a person’s cognitive, emotional or social abilities.1 A range of mental health and behavioural conditions including anxiety disorders, affective disorders and substance use disorders, can be described as a mental disorder. This section uses both terms to describe a range of mental health and behavioural conditions, and also uses other concepts such as psychological distress. In some contexts, substance use disorders are considered as separate to other mental disorders.

A person may be negatively affected by their mental health without meeting the criteria for a mental illness or mental disorder. Difficulties with mental health can occur at any stage of life and may be temporary or persist over a long period. Multiple socioeconomic factors may negatively affect a person’s mental health including:

  • access to services
  • living conditions
  • employment status.2

Information sources

Indicators of mental wellbeing in Queenslanders included in this section are:

  • Lifetime and 12-month mental disorders were sourced from The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHW) conducted in 2020–2022. National prevalence of health service use for mental health is also reported.3
  • Mental health and behavioural conditions and psychological distress were derived from The National Health Survey (NHS). The NHS has been conducted seven times since 2001.4
  • Mentally unhealthy days are the number of days during the past 30 days where mental health was not good due to stress, depression, and problems with emotions. This measure is included in the Queensland preventive health survey.5
  1. Council of Australian Government. 2017. The fifth national mental health and suicide prevention plan, https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/Monitoring-and-Reporting/Fifth-Plan, accessed 11 February 2025. [6]
  2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 2024. Mental health: prevalence and impact, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health, accessed 10 February 2025. [7]
  3. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2023. National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release, accessed 21 October 2024. [8]
  4. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2023. National Health Survey (NHS) 2022, https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey/latest-release, accessed 10 February 2025. [9]
  5. Moriarty DG, Zack MM and Kobau R. 2003. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy Days Measures - population tracking of perceived physical and mental health over time, Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 1:37, doi:10.1186/1477-7525-1-37. [10]

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Dental and oral health

Oral Health Services Plan

Queensland’s Statewide Oral Health Services Plan describes Queensland Health’s commitment to improving oral health for Queenslanders and aligns with the Australian Government’s future planning and priorities for oral health services.

Oral health messages for Australia

To support oral health behaviours and promotion, these 11 evidence-based oral health messages for Australia were developed by consensus by leading experts:

  • Oral health is integral to overall health and well-being.
  • Avoid free sugars (All sugars added to foods by manufacturer, cook or consumer plus those sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit concentrates).
  • Tap water should be fluoridated for optimal oral health.
  • Avoid putting babies and children to bed with a bottle.
  • Brush teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and clean in between teeth daily. Fluoridated toothpaste reduces tooth decay. Additional fluoride therapies might be suitable depending on risk—refer to the Australian Fluoride Guidelines.
  • People who have difficulty cleaning their teeth should be supported.
  • Custom-made mouthguards should be worn for all sports and training where there is a reasonable risk of a mouth injury.
  • Regular professional dental check-ups are important throughout life, starting from the eruption of the first tooth.
  • Everyone has different oral health needs and risk levels which should be reflected in the frequency of check-ups.
  • Smoking, vaping and tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and chewing tobacco, are harmful to oral health.
  • Alcohol consumption is harmful for health, including oral health.

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Last updated: March 2025

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