Respiratory illness
The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the borough of Rochdale is 2.4 per cent of the population (Quality Outcomes Framework, 2021/22). This is above the national rate of 1.9 per cent. The prevalence of asthma in the borough is 7.4 per cent.
What are respiratory diseases?
Respiratory diseases are conditions that affect the respiratory system and include asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia and respiratory infections amongst others. Collectively they are one of the top causes of death in the country with smoking a key risk factor in contracting the diseases.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties. The breathing problems tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit your normal activities, although treatment can help keep the condition under control. It is largely a preventable condition and you can significantly reduce your chances of developing it if you avoid smoking.
Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory condition that is caused by inflammation of the air passages in the lungs. The main symptoms are wheezing, breathlessness, a tight chest and coughing. Asthma is the most common long term condition in children and one of the biggest causes of hospital admissions amongst young people.
Statistics on respiratory disease
- NHS Digital – Quality Outcome Framework - prevalence of respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD in the borough can be viewed through the Quality Outcomes Framework tool on the NHS Digital site. It also allows you to see data down to GP Practice level for a number of conditions.
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Public Health Outcomes Framework - the healthcare and premature mortality domain includes high level indicators on respiratory conditions including the below-age-75 mortality rate and the below-age-75 mortality rate from causes considered to be preventable.
Guidance and information on respiratory disease
- National Institute of Health and Social Care Excellence (NICE) guidance - Respiratory conditions - NICE has produced a number of documents that cover respiratory conditions including guidance on pneumonia amongst others.
There are also a number of NICE guidance documents on specific respiratory illnesses such as:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease NICE guidance documents
- Asthma NICE guidance documents
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Respiratory disease: applying All Our Health - evidence and information to help healthcare professionals raise awareness of risk factors for respiratory disease.