ASCIA (Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy)
What is your submission about?
Please provide a brief summary of your submission
Topic name
Allergic diseases are one of the fastest growing conditions worldwide and are a major public health problem. The world is dealing with an allergy epidemic. It is critical that we capture data on allergic diseases and other immune system disorders in Australia.
The following question would provide this critical information.
Do you have one or more of the following chronic (ongoing) heath conditions (select all that apply):
Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
Allergy to Food
Allergy to Insect stings or bites
Allergy to Drugs (Medications)
Anaphylaxis (severe life threatening allergy)
Asthma
Atopic Dermattis (Eczema)
Autoimmune Disease
Primary Immunodeficiency
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Population
Sex and gender
Households and families
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Income and work
Unpaid work and care
Education and training
Disability and carers
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Location
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Cultural diversity
Religion
Ticked
Other topic
If Other topic please specify
Health - specifically immune system disorders
Assessment Criteria 1
1.
This topic is of current national importance.
National Importance
Australian medical researchers lead the world in the area of immunology, yet data on the prevalence of immune system disorders is lacking.
It is therefore critical that we capture accurate data on immune system disorders, to enable our medical researchers to continue to lead the world in this area.
Accurate data will also enable appropriate health policy development, planning and program monitoring.
Assessment Criteria 2
2.
There is a need for data from a Census of the whole population.
For whole population
As immune system disorders are estimated to affect 20-25% of the population data is needed for all population groups and geographic areas in Australia.
The value of the data will be enhanced through combining it with other characteristics collected in the Census, such as geographic areas and population data.
Assessment Criteria 3
3.
The topic can be accurately collected in a form which the household completes themselves.
Easy to answer
With one simple and easy to answer question (with multiple answers) and plain english terminology the topic is likely to be easily understood by respondents.
Respondents should easily know the answer to the question as immune system disorders are common health problems.
Assessment Criteria 4
4.
The topic would be acceptable to Census respondents.
Acceptable
The immune system disorders listed in the question are not due to poor lifestyle choices, are not contagious and are not sexually transmitted, so the topic is unlikely to be considered intrusive, offensive or controversial.
We expect that respondents are likely to be willing and able to answer the question accurately, particularly if they understand that the data collected will enable improved research into immune system disorders that will lead to better treatments and health outcomes.
Assessment Criteria 5
5.
The topic can be collected efficiently.
Collected efficiently
We expect that the question will not present major difficulties for coding the information, or require extensive processing, or significantly add to the overall cost of the Census.
The topic will not require a lengthy instruction or explanation and the collection of data on the topic will only have 10 options to choose from, including 9 immune system disorders and 1 "None of the above" answer.
Assessment Criteria 6
6.
There is likely to be a continuing need for data on this topic in the following Census.
Continuing need
Immune system disorders will continue to remain relevant in the future, so it would be useful to have time series data on the topic.
Assessment Criteria 7
7.
There are no other alternative data sources or solutions that could meet the topic need.
No alternatives
Data on immune system disorders is not currently collected for administrative purposes, or in an ABS survey or by another organisation. Data is currently produced through extrapolation of existing data sources from relatively small sample sizes, including epidemiological studies.
Any further comments?
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Further comments
Information about allergic diseases and other immune system disorders in Australia is available on the following reputable websites:
www.allergy.org.au
www.nationalallergystrategy.org.au
www.allergyfacts.org.au