Half a billion people are living with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs).
Asthma and COPD, the two most common CRDs, are a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Yet, CRDs are often overlooked in the global NCD agenda.
This collection provides information on the global burden and resources to support the integration of CRDs into primary care.
Asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) affect half a billion people and together cause 4 million deaths every year.
90% of "premature" CRD-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where access to basic diagnostic tools and essential medicines is lacking.
Approximately 213 million people are living with COPD and 260 million people are living with asthma.
COPD is the third leading cause of death globally, causing 3.7 million deaths in 2021.
Asthma deaths are less frequent but tend to occur in younger people and can be avoided. Half of all asthma deaths are "premature" - occurring in those aged below 70 years.
Risk factors such as exposure to tobacco smoke and air pollution cause new cases of CRDs and worsen existing disease.
Prematurity, low-birth weight and lung infections during childhood can all affect lung development and increase the risk of CRDs.
The United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for:
Target 3.4. By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and treatment
Target 3.8. Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
However, access to diagnostic testing and inhaled medicines remains a challenge in many countries. Most recent data from WHO found that for low- and low-middle-income countries:
These essential resources for diagnosis and treatment must be available in primary health care, as part of universal health coverage.
The Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases, is working together with WHO to reduce the global burden of CRDs.
For more resources, please visit Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases | Knowledge Action Portal on NCDs
