Inequalities in chronic respiratory disease: working towards policy change?

Abstract

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are chronic lung diseases that have long-standing inequalities in both their overall prevalence, and in the frequency and severity of their exacerbations [1], [2]. Overall mortality rates are higher in the most deprived decile, with chronic lower respiratory diseases are one of the biggest contributors to the deprivation gap [3]. These inequalities have been identified since as far back as 1950 [4], with little evidence so far that there has been a decline in their magnitude