27/04/2004

UK lung disease death rate is highest in Europe

The European Respiratory Society have produced a new report that states that more people in the UK die from lung diseases, such as asthma and pneumonia, than in any other European Union country.

The data shows that illnesses such as lung cancer, asthma, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are now killing more people in the UK than coronary heart disease. Respiratory diseases are also now the most common long-term illnesses among children and the most common illness responsible for emergency admissions to hospital.

The report also stated that around 5.1 million – equivalent to 13% - of the UK adult population suffers from asthma. The UK also has the highest mortality rate from pneumonia, compared with other European countries and the death rate from lung cancer is 66 per 100,000, compared to the European average of 45.9 per 100,000.

It is believed that smoking and environmental factors, such as pollution and the cold, damp climate are among the factors to blame for the increase.

The problem is also exacerbated by the relative shortage of respiratory specialists in the UK.

The European Respiratory Society have called for greater investment in equipment and specialists and national education programmes on key lung diseases in order to tackle the problem.

(KmcA)

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