Fast Facts

Ten fast facts about allergy and other immune diseases

1. Allergy, immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases are among the fastest growing chronic conditions in Australasia.

2. Almost 20% of Australians and New Zealanders have an allergic disease and this prevalence is increasing.

3. Hospital admissions for life threatening anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions) have increased 4 fold in the last 20 years.

4. Food-induced anaphylaxis has doubled in the last 10 years and 10% of infants now have an immediate food allergy.

5. Immunodeficiency diseases are serious, potentially life threatening conditions that are increasing in number and complexity.

6. Delay in diagnosis of immunodeficiency disease leads to poor health outcomes and premature death.

7. Autoimmune diseases affect 5% of Australians  and New Zealanders and are more common than cancer or heart disease.

8. There are over 100 different autoimmune diseases that affect Australians and New Zealanders, and lead to significant disability.

9. There is a lack of public awareness about the impact and appropriate management of allergy and immune diseases.

10. Access to care is difficult, even in metropolitan areas, due to the high number of patients and low number of appropriately trained health care professionals, resulting in long waiting times to see a specialist. 

For more fast facts about allergy and other immune diseases go to www.allergy.org.au/patients/fast-facts