Fighting air pollution key to beating lung disease

A leading specialist is calling on the Scottish Government to build on recent progress and further invest in the national strategy to combat lung disease with greater efforts to reduce air pollution.

The call to action formed part of a key note speech by Dr Colin Selby, consultant in respiratory medicine at NHS Fife, given to the British Thoracic Society in London yesterday.

Respiratory conditions including pneumonia, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), accounted for the death of 6,854 people in Scotland in 2017.

Dr Selby said that real progress has been made in the fight against lung disease but further investment is now needed in the national strategy to help deliver consistent positive outcomes for people with lung disease across the country.

He told delegates that a well-funded national strategy can identify gaps in services for patients with lung disease and ensure equal access of respiratory health services for all, with rural barriers being addressed.

Dr Selby is seeking to secure investment in proven treatments such as pulmonary rehabilitation – an exercise and education programme for people with chronic lung disease.

He said: “Scotland has made a positive effort to reduce the burden of lung disease, for example by leading the way in introducing the ban on smoking in public places. “But we need to build on this with greater efforts to reduce air pollution, support people to improve their physical health though exercise and healthy nutrition programmes, and to personalise care for each individual.”