The battle for breath - the economic burden of lung disease
Lung disease costs the UK a staggering £11 billion every year.
Our report, Estimating the economic burden of respiratory illness in the UK, reveals the financial cost of lung disease to the NHS, patients and the economy.
The report supports our battle for breath campaign. We're pushing for a new strategy to improve the care and support received by people with lung conditions and prevent more people getting lung disease.
Key findings
- Lung disease in the UK costs the UK a staggering £11 billion a year.
- £9.9 billion falls directly on the NHS and patients in private costs
- £1.2 billion falls on the wider economy through work days lost.
- Lung disease is the 4th most costly disease area to the UK, after mental health conditions, musculoskeletal diseases and heart disease.
- Among the most costly conditions are COPD (£1.9 billion each year) and asthma (£3 billion).
Read the full report (PDF, 1MB)
Thanks to Pro Bono Economics for their help preparing this report.