HEALTH chiefs have been urged to tackle one of East Lancashire’s biggest health problem – respiratory disease.

New data showed that the North West has the largest number of people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the UK – this country’s third biggest killer.

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Both the hospital admissions and mortality rate for COPD in the area were significantly higher than the UK average.

According to the data, the region also has the second highest prevalence rates of pulmonary fibrosis in the UK, with over 7,000 living with the condition – more than any other region in the UK.

COPD is the name used to describe a number of conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It kills around 30,000 a year in the UK – more than any type of cancer other than lung cancer.

However, two thirds of people living with this condition are estimated to remain undiagnosed.

Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “For far too long, the true burden of respiratory disease has been underestimated in this country.

“One person dies from lung disease every five minutes in the UK, making it the third biggest killer in the UK – yet little has been done to tackle this tragedy.

“If we are to halt the ever growing burden of lung disease on our country we urgently need more investment in research and more emphasis on improved prevention, earlier diagnosis and high quality services.”

Andrew Stephenson, MP for Pendle, joined the British Lung Foundation as new data from the charity, launched at an event in Parliament, revealed nearly 1.2 million people in the North West are living with a lung condition.

He said: “ It is clear dramatic improvements need to be made and it is time respiratory diseases get the prioritisation they deserve.”