The prevalence of COPD in the UK paints a sad picture of inequalities
An opportunity for change
COPD is the second leading cause of emergency hospital admissions and accounts for 1.4 million GP consultations every year.15,14
With prevalence of COPD expected to rise, these impacts are only set to worsen unless a coordinated, targeted approach to tackle COPD is taken by the Government, NHS and industry.15
The Government’s welcome focus on rebuilding the NHS and fostering a healthier, more productive population lends itself to an urgent and laser-like approach to improve COPD outcomes in the UK.
The Government should develop a specific Respiratory Health Action Plan. This will facilitate a coordinated and focused approach to improving respiratory health.
To find out more about the focus key focus areas to improving respiratory health read our full report here
References
14 NICE (2024), COPD: How common is it? Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/chronic-obstructive-pulmonarydisease/background-information/prevalence-incidence/ (Accessed November 2024)
15 NHS England, Digital service to manage high-risk chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Available at: https://transform.england.nhs.uk/key-tools-and-info/ digital-playbooks/respiratory-digital-playbook/digitalservice-to-manage-high-risk-chronic-obstructivepulmonary-disease-copd-patients/#:~:text=COPD%20 exacerbations%20are%20the%20second,billion%20by%20 2030%20is%20predicted. (Accessed November 2024)
16 The battle for breath report. British Lung Foundation, 2016. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/battle-breath-report [last accessed Nov 2023].
17 Snell N., et al (2016) Epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the UK: Findings from the British Lung Foundation's 'respiratory health of the nation' project. Thorax, 71(3). https://doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2016-209333.38
MAT-XU-2500118 V1.0 February 2025