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NI charity targets 'creeping killer' lung disease

BBC Published May 24, 2010 Reviewed Jul 2, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors
NI charity targets 'creeping killer' lung disease
The cost of treating respiratory illness in Northern Ireland each year is £47 million.
47 £ · costs to treat respiratory illness Andrew Dougal, chief executive
The health service in Northern Ireland spends £47 million annually to treat respiratory illness (including COPD and asthma).
About 27,000 people in Northern Ireland are being treated for COPD.
about 27000 · people being treated for COPD NI Chest, Heart and Stroke, charity
COPD is the fifth biggest killer in the UK.
5 · ranking as biggest killer
The World Health Organisation predicts COPD will be the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030.
3 · global ranking as leading cause of death World Health Organisation, organisation
Andrew Dougal, NICHS' chief executive, stated that better diagnosis and early intervention could save the health service £47 million annually, which is the cost to treat respiratory illness in Northern Ireland.
47000000 GBP · cost to treat respiratory illness Mr Dougal, NICHS' chief executive
The charity reported that 2,096 deaths in Northern Ireland in 2008 were due to respiratory illness.
2096 deaths · due to respiratory illness The charity
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has predicted that COPD will be the third leading cause of death globally by 2030.
3 position · leading cause of death2030 · prediction timeframe The World Health Organisation (WHO)

Thousands of people in Northern Ireland are suffering from a serious lung disease without knowing it, a medical charity has warned.

NI Chest, Heart and Stroke is urging people to check their lungs for early signs of respiratory disease.

"We would urge people with symptoms like constant coughing, wheezing or breathlessness to get checked out by their doctor," Andrew Dougal said.

The charity is launching a radio, bus and billboard campaign.

Mr Dougal, NICHS' chief executive said: "Better diagnosis and early intervention could reduce the local death rate, cut hospital admissions and save the health service some of the £47m it costs to treat respiratory illness - including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma - in Northern Ireland each year."

The charity said 2,096 deaths in NI in 2008 were due to respiratory illness.

About 27,000 people in NI are being treated for COPD, but NICHS believes many thousands more have the symptoms.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has predicted that COPD will be the third leading cause of death around the world by 2030.

COPD is an umbrella term for a group of lung diseases that include chronic bronchitis, emphysema and small airways disease. Over a long period, lung damage impairs the flow of air in and out of the lungs.

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