Publications - Topics - Respiratory Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the North East of England

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is linked to smoking, occupational dust and pollution, and is particularly prevalent in the North East of England. This paper reviews prevalence estimates and highlights the fact that over 32,000 people in the North East are living with undiagnosed COPD. COPD costs the NHS an estimated £491million every year and this paper highlights emergency admission rates for COPD. Mortality rates from COPD in the North East are higher than in England (accounting for 6% of all deaths), and the inequality gap appears to be increasing.

Premature mortality from smoking in the North East of England

Smoking kills over 1,700 people every year in the North East before they reach the age of 70, accounting for 29% of premature deaths in the region compared with 26% of all premature deaths in England. Premature mortality from smoking in the North East is higher for men than for women and the highest rates are seen in Middlesbrough and Newcastle. The majority of these smoking-attributable deaths are from cancer, although smoking also accounts for 82% of the premature deaths from COPD and 32% of the premature deaths from cerebrovascular diseases.