Lung research 'needs more money'

BBC News
Millions of lives could be saved if more was spent on studying and tackling common lung infections, say experts.

Respiratory infections such as pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) claim 4.25 million lives a year, mostly in developing countries.

Respiratory syncytial virus is a leading cause of infection

The World Lung Foundation said despite causing 6% of deaths, research efforts attract only 1% of pharmaceutical research funding.

The British Lung Foundation said there was great need in the UK too.

BLF chief executive Dame Helena Shovelton said: "Pneumonia kills more women than breast, ovarian and cervical cancer combined, however receives only a fraction of the funding compared to cancer research.

“With relatively modest resources, the means are available to save millions of lives”

End Quote Peter Baldini WLF chief executive

"The UK currently has the highest mortality rate from pneumonia in the whole of Europe.

"By ensuring more money is spent on research into acute respiratory illnesses, the UK will be able to prevent some of the 34,000 deaths caused by pneumonia each year."

Global toll

The World Lung Foundation has released a global "atlas" which, it says, details "hotspots" for respiratory infections.

In at least half the countries of the world, it says, the overall death rate from all causes is only a 10th of the death rate from respiratory infections in countries such as Mali, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Niger. Read more...

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