A major new study published in Nature Medicine provides a comprehensive overview of how the global burden of chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), has evolved over more than three decades and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected these trends. Dr Tamás Joó, Vice President of MEMT, contributed to the international collaborative study.
Drawing on data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2023, the researchers analysed the incidence and mortality of chronic respiratory diseases and regional differences in their burden between 1990 and 2023. The findings show that chronic respiratory diseases remain widespread worldwide. Some indicators, particularly mortality rates, have improved, but progress has not been uniform. The disease burden remains significant, especially in settings with fewer resources. Known risk factors include smoking and environmental exposures.
The COVID-19 pandemic also affected these trends. During the pandemic, the incidence of chronic respiratory diseases increased modestly, while the decline in mortality rates became less pronounced. The research highlights how the effects of a pandemic can continue to shape public health indicators over the longer term.
The findings underline that prevention and stronger healthcare systems remain essential. Reducing tobacco use, improving air quality and ensuring continuous, uninterrupted care for people living with chronic conditions will remain crucial to reducing the global burden of respiratory diseases in the future.
The full article in English is available at the following link: Global, regional, and national burden of chronic respiratory diseases and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 1990–2023: a Global Burden of Disease study