Globale Belastung durch Lungenkrankheiten bekämpfen

Abstract

Three of the six leading causes of death worldwide are lung diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lower respiratory tract infections and lung cancer. Other lung diseases are not to be underestimated either. Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease, affecting 14% of all children; sleep apnea affects more than one hundred million people worldwide. Moreover, work-related lung diseases still affect more than fifty million workers. Each year, lung diseases kill more than seven million people, and cause distressing symptoms for many more. The 2017 Global Burden of Disease Study found that a country's sociodemographic index is a key determinant of mortality and health impairment from respiratory diseases. This year’s world lung day was held on September 25th, 2022, under the theme “Lung Health for All” and aimed to raise awareness for the global burden of lung diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and the importance of early detection and reducing inequalities. To address respiratory diseases more effectively, urgent work is needed to develop treatments and management strategies to alleviate symptoms and impact or halt disease progression.