• Sophie Couzos and Scott Davis.
• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Canberra, ACT. scouzos@tpgi.com.au
• Aust Fam Physician. 2005 Oct 1; 34 (10): 837840837-40.

BackgroundThe prevalence of asthma is higher in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults than in non-Indigenous Australian adults in all age groups, and hospitalisation rates for acute asthma episodes are much higher, indicating suboptimal prevention. A 2001-2002 Australian Federal Budget initiative, the Asthma 3+ Plan, encouraged doctors to talk to their patients about asthma management over at least three visits and provide an asthma action plan.ObjectiveThis article reports on the findings of a study examining the uptake of the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan initiative among Aboriginal community controlled health services.DiscussionSignificant barriers prevent ACCHSs accessing the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan limiting Aboriginal people's capacity to benefit. In addition, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient access to both spacer devices and asthma medication is often poor. A targeted asthma information strategy is needed, and spacer devices must be made accessible to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Chronic disease management Medicare items offer a preferable and alternative funding mechanism for asthma care, if supplemented by pharmaceutical access reforms.

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