Bek Gillespie’s daughter, Abigail, suffers from severe allergies that have significantly affected their daily life. Abigail, who is now three years old, experienced her first serious allergic reaction to egg shortly after her first birthday during a family holiday. The incident occurred at a restaurant, leaving Gillespie feeling frightened and unprepared. “I’d never seen anyone experience an allergic reaction before. It was quite scary,” she recalled. The family sought immediate medical attention, first at a chemist and then at a hospital.
Since that day, managing Abigail’s egg anaphylaxis has become an all-consuming task. According to Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and can be life-threatening, necessitating prompt medical intervention. Gillespie describes the constant vigilance required, stating, “You have to read every single label. You have to ask all the questions… even simple things like going out for dinner, birthday parties, travelling.” This careful planning often leads to anxiety, especially when relying on others, such as childcare providers, to be informed and prepared.
Gillespie, who is currently seeking specialist advice for both of her twin daughters, notes the challenges posed by the limited availability of allergy specialists in Canberra. “There are so few specialists… the wait lists are long, and it is quite expensive as well,” she explained. Gillespie’s experience is indicative of a broader trend in Australia, where nearly one in three citizens is living with some form of allergic condition.
A recent report from Deloitte Access Economics, developed in collaboration with the National Allergy Council and the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, highlights the growing prevalence of allergic diseases in Australia. This research indicates that approximately 30 percent of Australians, or about 8.2 million people, were affected by one or more allergic conditions as of March 2024. This figure represents a significant increase from 4.1 million cases reported in 2007, doubling the incidence rate.
The report outlines the substantial financial burden of allergic diseases, estimating a total cost of $18.9 billion in 2024. This includes health system expenses and losses in productivity, alongside an additional $44.6 billion in non-financial costs, which account for the intangible impacts on well-being, such as pain and reduced quality of life.
Professor Kirsten Perrett, director of the National Allergy Centre of Excellence, emphasized the urgency of addressing this public health issue. “Now more than ever, we understand the prevalence of allergic disease nationally, and it’s quite a frightening figure that we have almost one in three Australians affected by allergic disease,” she noted.
Maria Said, co-chair of the National Allergy Council and chief executive of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, acknowledged the report’s findings as significant yet anticipated. “The demand for improved care and access to care is very real,” she stated. The most prevalent allergic conditions in Australia include hay fever, eczema, asthma, food allergies, and drug allergies, with food allergies and eczema being more common in young children.
Perrett pointed to environmental factors and lifestyle changes as contributing elements to the rise in allergic diseases. “We know that genes and our genetic makeup are a factor. But it is the environment that has changed so significantly,” she said. Australia, often described as the “allergy capital of the world,” has the highest rates of food allergies in childhood globally, with approximately 10 percent of all infants affected.
The financial implications of allergic diseases extend beyond direct medical costs. Said highlighted the social impact, stating, “It’s not just the financial burden; it’s the social costs as well that impact a person.” She emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to managing allergic diseases, advocating for sustained investment in research and care access.
Perrett and Said are calling for increased government funding to enhance resources dedicated to allergy research and management, aiming to improve the health outcomes of those affected. The federal health department has been approached for comments regarding potential funding initiatives.
As families like Gillespie’s navigate the complexities of allergic diseases, the urgency for a robust response from health authorities becomes ever more apparent, reflecting a growing public health challenge in Australia.
