Lung Inequality Fuels Emergency Admissions in England

Published: 23 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

People from the poorest communities in England face significantly higher risks of emergency hospital care. Recent research from Asthma + Lung UK analysed NHS admissions data for November, revealing stark inequalities in respiratory health outcomes across the country. Those living in the most deprived areas were found to be 56% more likely to require emergency hospital treatment and 62% more likely to be readmitted within 39 days, a timeframe associated with increased mortality risk.

The study also revealed that residents of deprived areas are nearly twice as likely to be admitted for respiratory conditions compared to wealthier populations. Experts are warning that these figures underline the urgent need to end the “postcode lottery” in healthcare provision. Areas with the highest rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) admissions per capita include Blackpool, Manchester, Hastings, and Burnley. COPD, which encompasses chronic bronchitis and emphysema, leads to breathing difficulties and claims more than 20,000 lives annually in England.

Dr Hugo Farne, a respiratory consultant at Imperial College London, described the findings as “a stark and avoidable injustice in respiratory health.” He emphasized that nearly half a million respiratory admissions could be avoided each year if socioeconomic disparities were addressed. Farne highlighted that solutions such as timely diagnosis, smoking cessation support, pulmonary rehabilitation, clean air initiatives, and well-resourced community respiratory services are already known, but access remains limited in the areas facing the greatest burden.

“Tackling COPD outcomes means confronting inequality directly,” Farne said. “It requires sustained investment in deprived areas, integrated health and social care, and treating respiratory health as a national priority rather than leaving it to a postcode lottery.”

The NHS is bracing for one of its most severe winter crises, with flu cases steadily rising. NHS England reported an average of 3,140 daily hospital admissions for flu last week, marking an 18% increase from the previous week. By comparison, last year’s daily average was 2,629, while in 2023 it stood at 648.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Asthma + Lung UK, warned that many patients now hospitalised with flu complications have underlying lung conditions such as COPD. She added that those from the lowest-income groups are disproportionately at risk of death this winter. Sleet emphasized that factors such as poor housing, smoking, and air pollution contribute to COPD risk, but deprivation largely influences disease progression.

At the core of the problem is delayed diagnosis and inadequate care. In certain regions, vital diagnostic tests and basic respiratory services are unavailable or limited. More populated and deprived areas, which already face the highest pressure on health services, struggle to provide even basic lung health interventions. “Lung health in the UK is in a critical state,” Sleet said. “We know what needs to change, but implementation is lacking. A dedicated national strategy is essential to improve respiratory outcomes and reduce preventable hospital admissions.”

Historical NHS analyses show that serious respiratory conditions, including COPD, have driven more emergency hospital admissions than any other medical condition. This growing disparity between deprived and affluent communities highlights the urgent need for targeted health policies. Addressing these inequalities could significantly reduce preventable deaths, relieve pressure on hospital services, and improve overall public health.

NHS England has been approached for comment but has yet to provide a response regarding the report’s findings and recommended interventions.