The latest British Lung Foundation research has found that the cost to the UK is around £11 billion each year, a significant proportion of which relates to Wales. Fatalities account for 15 per cent of all deaths in Wales, and within this, COPD as the highest number. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of conditions, including bronchitis and emphysema. The make it difficult to empty air out of the lungs because airways have narrowed, making it harder to move air in and out as you breathe, and lungs less able to take in oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. Medical professionals advise activity and exercise to help improve breathing, fitness and quality of life. Done regularly, this can help reverse the impact of the condition by strengthening muscles. It also benefits heart and blood pressure and makes people less likely to develop conditions such as diabetes and osteoporosis.

Pulmonary rehabilitation, or PR, is a programme designed for people living with COPD. It combines physical exercise sessions with advice and discussions about your lung health. Most people find it improves their quality of life, and the impact is often bigger than that of taking inhaled medications, though combining the two is likely to provide the most benefit.

Lifestyle is very important. The national survey for Wales 2017/18 reveals a smoking prevalence in Wales of 19 per cent, and a prevalence of overweight and obese adults of 59 per cent. Currently in Newport, 21 per cent of adults smoke, which is above the average for Gwent and Wales. These are major contributory factors. Smoking causes over 80 per cent of COPD and lung cancer and causes or worsens all other respiratory conditions. Respiratory illness is also twice as likely to be reported amongst individuals living in the most deprived communities compared to the least deprived—11 per cent as opposed to 6 per cent. These stark statistics are worrying, and co-ordinated support service delivery, measures and interventions across Wales are vital to ensure that all patients have access to the range of services and treatments available.

Smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable mortality and health inequality in Wales, and rates have stagnated at 19 per cent since 2015. Community-based actions at grass-roots levels must have the financial support they need to effectively help people quit cigarettes for good. It is this community-based level of support that is also invaluable to allow those living with lung conditions and lung disease to best manage their conditions. Cancer Research UK have highlighted that during the current financial year, well over 10,000 Welsh residents who are smokers were treated by smoking cessation services, representing 2.24 per cent of the population, significantly below the target of 5 per cent. Worryingly, the British Lung Foundation’s latest research highlights a current situation of worsening outcomes in Wales—an increase in the emergency hospital admissions, mortality rates and poorer quality of life. Lung diseases are responsible for more than 700,000 hospital admissions and over 6 million in-patient bed days in the UK each year. There is reduced access to education and exercise programmes that help individuals better self-manage their condition and maintain a good quality of life, as well as poor uptake of the influenza vaccine and stop-smoking services. Preventative measures are vitally important to help support patients and their families. Further investment in education, exercise and self-management provision is a tangible way to improve the lives of those living with lung disease in Wales. There is overwhelming evidence that development of self-management can increase independence, knowledge and positive change in behaviour, for example more exercise and more smoking cessation, which enables people affected by COPD to have better health.