One in five people with asthma surveyed by a leading lung health charity said the cost-of-living crisis has caused life-threatening asthma attacks, as they cut back on medicines, heating and food.
The Asthma and Lung UK survey of more than 3,600 people with lung conditions – such as asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis – also found that one in six are cutting back on their inhaler use to make it last longer and 6% have not been getting their prescriptions.
Half of the survey’s respondents also said that their condition had worsened since the cost-of-living crisis began, with some needing emergency treatment as they struggle to manage their condition.
Warning that winter is already the ‘deadliest season’ for people with lung conditions, the charity said it could bring a ‘tidal wave’ of hospital admissions as ‘cold weather, an abundance of viruses and people cutting back on medicines, heating, food and electricity puts them at risk’.
It also said that calls to its helpline from people needing advice for help with their finances or benefits in August 2022 was 89% higher than in August 2021.
The Asthma and Lung UK survey found that 90% of respondents were making significant changes in their daily life because of the rising cost of living, which the charity said would impact their health.
For instance, 63% are buying and eating less food, which the charity said can lower immunity and put them at increased risk of viruses which could trigger an asthma attack.
Almost three-quarters (74%) of respondents said that they plan to heat their homes less, while 45% said they were planning to turn their heating off altogether.
Survey respondents also said that increased costs have also impacted their asthma management, which in many cases respondents have linked to their condition worsening.
One in ten said that they have been using medical devices that require electricity less – such as nebulisers, which help people breathe in medicines – while 5% say they have borrowed medicines from someone else and 6% have not been getting their prescriptions.
One in six said that they were cutting back on using their inhaler to make it last longer. Asthma and Lung UK said that using a preventer inhaler every day is the best way for people to manage their asthma and prevent attacks.
As a result of these changes, 49% said that their lung condition is worse because of changes they’ve made, 20% say they’ve had an asthma attack or exacerbation, 19% have had to see their GP and 7% have had to seek emergency treatment like going to A&E.
Sarah Woolnough, CEO of Asthma + Lung UK, said that the rising cost of living was ‘untenable’ and was ‘forcing people with lung conditions to make impossible choices about their health.’
She said: ‘Warm homes, regular medicine and a healthy diet are all important pillars to good lung condition management – but they all come at a cost. We are hearing from people already reporting a sharp decline in their lung health, including many having life-threatening asthma attacks.
‘With temperatures beginning to fall and further energy price hikes looming, we’re seriously worried that when winter bites it will tip the country into a public health crisis.’
Dr Andrew Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma + Lung UK and a practicing GP, explained that cold air can trigger life-threatening asthma attacks and COPD flare-ups.
It also creates a ‘hotbed’ for mould and damp. If breathed in, these can cause a lung condition called aspergillosis, which can cause shortness of breath, wheeze, weight loss and a high temperature.
A version of this story was originally published in our sister publication The Pharmacist.
