Charity report shines a spotlight onto the divide between rich and poor in Wales

Analysis shows that seven out of 10 people from the poorest households surveyed in Wales had seen a deterioration in their condition over the last twelve months and are 9 times more likely to give up work because of breathlessness.¹  

A new report by Asthma + Lung UK Cymru shows that people on the lowest incomes with a lung condition surveyed in Wales are nine times more likely to give up work because of debilitating breathlessness.

The new analysis shows that the untenable cost of living hikes are deepening health inequalities and forcing people with lung conditions to make impossible choices about their health. The charity says the report paints a bleak almost ‘Dickensian picture’ of the lowest earners unable to afford food, rent and struggling to get medical appointments when they need help the most.

The report, based on the charity’s survey of over 891 people with lung conditions in Wales, found that of the lowest earners surveyed:²

• They were nine times more likely than the highest earners to give up work in the last year due to breathlessness.
• A quarter of people are struggling with breathlessness every day.
• Seven out of 10 (73%) respondents with asthma live with uncontrolled asthma putting them at greater risk of having a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.
• Less than half (45%) were able to access same-day GP care, compared to three quarters (75%) of the highest earners.

• Seven out of 10 (69%) felt their lung condition has worsened and nearly two thirds (62%) feel that they need more support with their condition now than they did a year ago.

The leading lung health charity is highlighting the numbers in their new report  Breathing Unequal – examining inequalities and lung conditions , which calls on the Welsh Government to urgently prioritise lung health and give people who are most at risk a fighting chance of being able to breathe without fear.

Asthma + Lung UK Cymru believes no one should have to suffer worse health because of where they live, or how much money they have. 

The charity’s analysis shows a link between growing difficulties paying for basic necessities, including rent, food and medication, and a deterioration in health. Cutbacks in every area of life are affecting people’s ability to manage their lung conditions, increasing the likelihood of people developing life-threatening symptoms.

They are calling on the Welsh Government to deliver a new Respiratory Disease Improvement Plan and to provide where possible tailored financial support for people on low incomes with lung conditions to ensure they can pay for basics like energy bills and helping them to manage their conditions better.

Health inequalities are a long-standing problem, with people in the most deprived communities in Wales three times more likely to die in winter ³ and the cost-of-living crisis continues to deepen those inequalities.

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru said;

“It is truly unacceptable that people on the lowest incomes in Wales are more likely to give up work because they struggle to breathe.

“The cost-of-living crisis is further deepening the health disparities. We urgently need the Welsh Government to act and deliver a new Respiratory Disease Improvement Plan and to provide where possible tailored financial support for people with lung conditions on low incomes.

“One in five people in Wales will develop a lung condition in their lifetime⁴ and for them struggling to breathe can be a life changing and debilitating condition. We are urging lung health to be made a priority and for health inequalities and poverty to tackled head on.”

Louise aged 51, Carer from Newport said: “Over the past 12 months I have seen a deterioration in my health and regularly struggle to breathe. I’m a carer and due to my asthma, I’ve had to reduce my hours in work. The price increases have meant that I eat less fresh food as it’s so expensive. I do worry all the time about the rising costs which adds to the anxiety of living with asthma.

The cost of heating is the biggest worry and I’m dreading the colder months. We need more support as keeping warm is vital to staying well and keeping chest infections at bay. People shouldn’t be worrying about whether to heat or eat. There must be a better way.”

Read the full report here