Lung conditions causing death highest in UK

Asthma + Lung UK has labelled the state of lung health in the UK as ‘shameful’ after research indicated that the UK has the worst death rate for lung conditions than anywhere else in western Europe.

Formerly known as Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, the charity’s analysis reveals that over a seven-year period, half a million people have died from lung conditions such as asthma attacks, COPD exacerbations and pneumonia, in the UK, according to the latest figures.

Of all the countries in Europe, only Turkey had a higher death rate than the UK and people in the UK are three times more likely to die from lung disease than in Finland, which has the lowest lung disease death rates in Europe.

A new strategy has been launched, Fighting for Breath, with a mission to transform the nation’s lung health.

The strategy reveals that the numbers of people admitted to hospital for lung conditions in England and Wales have doubled in the last 20 years. Furthermore, n the last two years, an additional 170,000 people have died from Covid-19, more than any other country in Europe and an estimated 1.3 million people in the UK are also suffering from Long Covid, with 37 per cent suffering from shortness of breath.

Asthma + Lung UK says that lung conditions need to be treated as seriously as other major illnesses including heart disease and cancer. Despite lung disease being the third biggest killer in the UK, only two per cent is spent on publicly funded research.

Asthma + Lung says that the lack of research is hindering the creation of more effective diagnostic tests that would help people be diagnosed accurately and more quickly, new treatments which could reduce symptoms or even cure some lung diseases and new technology, such as AI and apps, that could help people better manage their condition and stay out of hospital.

Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of Asthma + Lung UK, said: “The state of lung health in the UK is shameful, with more than 100,000 people dying every year from lung conditions, the numbers of hospital admissions increasing, and air pollution causing people to develop lung conditions or making existing ones worse. It is a national scandal that people are more likely to die from a lung condition in the UK than almost anywhere in Europe.

“For far too long lung conditions have been treated like the poor relation compared to other major illnesses like cancer and heart disease, with only 2% of publicly funded research spent on understanding them and finding treatments, and negative attitudes preventing people getting early diagnoses, treatment and care. We need urgent action now.

“The pandemic has brought it to people’s attention that lung conditions can and do kill and how terrifying it can be to struggle with breathlessness. As the UK’s only charity fighting for everyone with a lung condition, we have an ambitious new strategy to fight for every breath, including providing our vital services such as our helpline, health advice and support groups.

“But we are also urging government to triple funding for respiratory research to identify new ways of diagnosing and treating people with lung conditions, tackle air pollution and ensure better diagnosis and care for everyone with a lung condition. We want everyone with a lung condition who needs our support to get in touch if they need our help – and to know that we are here for them, fighting for every breath.”