Professor Sir Michael Marmott will be appearing at the Senedd on Tuesday 22nd September to discuss why Wales has the worst death rate from lung disease in Western Europe and what action needs to be taken.
The sell out event, organised by Asthma + Lung UK Cymru, aims to shine a light on inequality and its impact of poverty in Wales on the nation’s lung health.
The charity highlights that many of the causes of lung disease are closely linked to poverty and inequality rather than healthcare alone with Wales experiencing some of the highest rates of poverty in the UK.
For example, people in deprived areas are more likely to live in housing that is mouldy, cold and damp and this is particularly relevant to Wales, which has some of the oldest and least energy-efficient housing stock in Europe. Breathing in mould spores can trigger or worsen lung conditions like asthma and COPD and can cause serious fungal infections like aspergillosis.
People in poorer communities are also more likely to be exposed to higher levels of air pollution leading to an increased risk of developing lung conditions or making existing lung conditions such as asthma worse.
Another huge impact on lung health is smoking, with rates in the most deprived communities in Wales more than three times higher than in the least deprived areas says the charity.
In their recent report, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation set out the challenges facing the new Welsh Government.
22% of people in Wales are experiencing relative poverty, with little change in the last 20 years. Underlying that, is the fact that poverty has deepened in Wales — with now nearly half of all people in poverty in very deep poverty, compared to a third in the mid-1990s.
Children continue to face a higher risk of poverty too, with nearly 1 in 3 children in poverty in Wales — some of the highest rates seen across the UK.
To help tackle health inequalities and improve lung health in Wales, Asthma + Lung Cymru, are calling for the following:
- Ensure that 100% of adults and children with lung conditions get the basic care they need, in order to manage their condition, improve their well-being and reduce hospitalisation.
- Use the powers in the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscape) Act 2024 to adopt the latest WHO air quality guidelines into law and develop a clear roadmap for compliance. This must include stronger commitments to tackling pollution at its source, accelerating the transition to cleaner transport, and protecting vulnerable groups from the harmful effects of dirty air.
- Target smoking services to deprived areas where smoking prevalence is higher. Improve general access to smoking cessation services, which include support for people who wish to stop vaping.
- Expand and clarify warm homes schemes, such as NEST, with the prioritisation of air source heat pumps, adequate insulation and appropriate ventilation to ensure safe indoor air and the minimisation of seasonal triggers in the home.
- Reduce the impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on those with lung conditions by providing tailored financial support to people with lung conditions on low incomes.
- Establish a Cleaner Travel Access Fund to help those who need it most to transition to cleaner modes of transport
Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru said:
“We are delighted that Professor Sir Michael Marmott will be joining us for our event in the Senedd and sharing his wealth of knowledge, insights and experience with us.
“Lung conditions are the third biggest killer in Wales. Health inequalities create a vicious cycle in which poverty contributes to poor lung health, while poor health can reduce people’s ability to work and increase financial hardship.
“Our research shows that people on the lowest incomes are more likely to experience uncontrolled asthma symptoms, daily breathlessness and worsening respiratory health outcomes. They are also twice more likely to end up in A+E than those on higher incomes.
“The new Welsh Government must tackle health inequalities head on to ensure better and healthier outcomes for the people of Wales.”
The Asthma + Lung UK Cymru event will bring together policymakers, healthcare professionals, public health experts and people with lived experience to A Nation’s Breath: Wales’ Fight for Equal Lung Health on 22 September 12-1.30pm at the Senedd in Cardiff to discuss the impact of health inequalities on lung health and the actions needed to address them.
