Saving your breath: How better lung health benefits us all (Asthma + Lung UK, September 2023)

Summary

This report from Asthma + Lung UK highlights that lung diseases such as COPD, asthma and pneumonia are the third leading cause of death in England, whilst the UK as a whole has the worst death rate from lung disease in Europe. Hospital admissions for lung diseases have doubled in the last 20 years and lack of proper testing for lung diseases is having an impact on patient safety, as GPs have to "guess" diagnoses.

The report highlights three areas where policy changes should be implemented in order to improve care for people affected, reduce pressure on services and deliver massive savings for the NHS:

1. Diagnosing lung disease early and accurately 
2. Keeping people healthy and out of hospital
3. Providing treatments that work