Women over 55 continue to be most at risk of dying from asthma in Australia, latest data shows.
Those aged 55 to 74 were twice as likely to die compared to their male counterparts, while those over 75 were almost three times more likely to die from asthma.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data highlights the need for older women to take action to manage their condition as asthma deaths are largely preventable, says National Asthma Council Australia.
"Asthma can't be cured but it can be controlled with asthma preventer and reliever medication and by following an up-to-date asthma action plan, prepared with your doctor," says the council's chair Dr Jonathan Burdon.
"We know that women have slightly higher prevalence rates for asthma, but we don't have conclusive evidence as to why women are dying from asthma at two to three times the rates of men.
"This general trend is seen throughout the world, and various studies suggest that there are likely a number of factors at play - diagnostic, biological, lifestyle, societal and environmental."
The ABS data showed 419 asthma-related deaths were recorded in Australia in 2014, made up of 277 females and 142 males.
The total was up from 389 deaths in 2013, probably in line with the ageing population, and significantly down from a peak of 964 deaths in 1989.
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