FIRS The Global Impact of Respiratory Disease – Second Edition | Page 7

Executive summary
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We take our breathing and our respiratory
health for granted, but the lung is a vital organ
that is vulnerable to airborne infection and
injury. Respiratory diseases are leading causes
of death and disability in the world. About 65
million people suffer from chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) and 3 million die
from it each year, making it the third leading
cause of death worldwide. About 334 million
people suffer from asthma, the most common
chronic disease of childhood affecting 14% of
all children globally. Pneumonia kills millions
of people annually and is a leading cause of
death among children under 5 years old. Over
10 million people develop tuberculosis (TB)
and 1.4 million die from it each year, making
it the most common lethal infectious disease.
Lung cancer kills 1.6 million people each year
and is the most deadly cancer. Globally, 4
million people die prematurely from chronic
respiratory disease. At least 2 billion people are
exposed to indoor toxic smoke, 1 billion inhale
outdoor pollutant air and 1 billion are exposed
to tobacco smoke. The truth is that many of us
are naïve to these stark realities. air containing microbes, toxic particles, fumes
or allergens. Reducing tobacco consumption
is the most important fi rst step. Controlling
unhealthy air in the workplace can prevent
occupational lung disease. Strengthening
immunisation programmes can prevent many
types of pneumonia. Improving respiratory
health also entails strengthening healthcare
systems, using established guidelines for health
promotion and disease prevention, training
medical personnel, research, and educating
the populace.
Fortunately, most respiratory diseases are
preventable by improving the quality of the air.
Common sources of unhealthy air are tobacco
smoke, indoor and outdoor air pollution, and The purpose of this report is to call attention
to the importance of respiratory health in the
world and to raise it to be a top priority in
global decision-making.
Prevention, control and cure of these diseases
and promotion of respiratory health must be
a top priority in global decision-making in the
health sector. These goals are achievable, and
the control, prevention and cure of respiratory
diseases are among the most important cost-
effective health interventions available. The
Forum of International Respiratory Societies
(FIRS) asserts that alleviating the burden of
respiratory disease should be a leading strategy
of the Sustainable Development Goals and a
requirement for nations to achieve.
Forum of International Respiratory Societies