NEWS: UK asthma deaths remain high

As reported by Asthma and Lung, despite a decade since a crucial report highlighted the preventability of many asthma deaths, over 12,000 people in the UK have died, and asthma care continues to stagnate due to insufficient action and funding

Asthma + Lung UK is calling on the government to introduce national targets to end preventable asthma deaths. The charity says they must also dedicate sufficient funding to implement the upcoming NICE asthma guidelines, ensuring everyone with the condition receives vital basic care. Investment in technology is also essential for the transformation of asthma management, helping people to manage their condition and recognise warning signs, especially those who are less engaged with healthcare services.³

The National Review of Asthma Deaths: Why asthma still kills (NRAD), published by the Royal College of Physicians in 2014, found that two thirds of asthma deaths were preventable.⁴ Key risk factors for death from asthma include overuse of reliever inhalers indicating poorly controlled asthma, underuse of preventer inhalers and recent emergency hospital visits with no follow-up.

But in the decade since the report’s publication, new analysis by Asthma + Lung UK shows that shockingly little has changed for the 5.4 million people in the UK living with asthma. Lack of political will to implement NRAD’s recommendations and complacency around the condition means asthma care is at a standstill. The asthma death rate has actually risen by nearly a quarter and increasingly stretched healthcare professionals don’t have the resources to provide people with the support they need.⁵

Asthma care needs to be focused on treatments that prevent symptoms and asthma attacks (such as preventer inhalers). Most people, if they’re using their prescribed medicines correctly and have regular reviews with medical professionals, can get on with their lives without asthma symptoms getting the way, but if not taken seriously it can be deadly.

Yet, a decade on from its publications, NRAD’s recommendations have not been routinely implemented. While there are some areas of good practice, asthma care still varies widely across regions, with many not receiving the care they need. Research by Asthma + Lung UK found that almost seven out of ten (69%) people surveyed aren’t receiving basic asthma care as recommended by the report.⁶ This should include annual asthma reviews, inhaler technique checks, and written asthma action plans, all of which enable healthcare professionals to support people with asthma so they are doing the right things to keep their asthma under control.

Overuse of reliever inhalers was highlighted in the report as key indicator of poorly controlled asthma which puts people at greater risk of death. Yet new behavioural insight work by Asthma + Lung UK showed that worryingly, nearly a third (31% ) of people surveyed rely on reliever inhaler to manage their condition.⁷

Additionally, follow-up care is woefully inadequate, with a recent study showing that two in three (82%) people are not getting an appointment with a GP or asthma nurse within the recommended 48 hours after an emergency admission, when they are most at risk of another serious attack.⁸ Furthermore, two in five (40%)9 people who ended up in hospital didn’t have a follow-up within 28 days.