{"id":46940,"date":"2018-12-12T10:17:18","date_gmt":"2018-12-12T10:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jomec.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=46940"},"modified":"2018-12-12T10:17:18","modified_gmt":"2018-12-12T10:17:18","slug":"inpoverty-wales-is-struggling-to-breathe-the-stark-reality-of-health-poverty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2018\/12\/12\/inpoverty-wales-is-struggling-to-breathe-the-stark-reality-of-health-poverty\/","title":{"rendered":"#InPoverty: The stark reality of health poverty as Wales struggles to breathe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Deprivation and rising levels of inequality are making the worse off unhealthier and in the fight for health Wales cannot catch its breath<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Wales has the highest asthma mortality rate in Europe, five times higher than Sweden, Germany and Portugal. In 2015 respiratory illness accounted for 16% of all deaths in Wales.<\/span><\/p>\n

Poverty is making Wales sick. Around three people die from asthma a day. Wales is the worst place in the UK to be an asthma sufferer, with more deaths per year than the rest of the UK. <\/span><\/p>\n

What is worse is that around half of all asthma deaths in Wales are avoidable.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a study by Asthma UK it was found that the more deprived asthma patients had 31% more A&E visits and 123% more hospitalizations<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So what are the connections between deprivation and poor health?<\/b><\/p>\n

Asthma UK<\/a>, found that more deprived asthma patients had 31% more A&E visits and 123% more hospitalizations. People who live in fuel poverty cannot afford to heat their homes and are more likely to get sick. Derelict housing can cause serious health problems. <\/span><\/p>\n

Risk factors include, mould, damp, formaldehyde or indoor smoke.<\/span><\/p>\n

Formaldehyde is a chemical found in household goods such as MDF furniture and carpet. <\/span><\/p>\n

What needs to be done?<\/b><\/p>\n

Progress in education<\/b><\/p>\n

Respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, require self management, and people who have a lower level of health literacy might underestimate the seriousness of such conditions. <\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding is very limited. People are unaware of how serious it can be<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

NHS Professional Sam says education and health literacy are very important, as those from a working class background are less likely to be aware of how to appropriately manage asthma. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Joseph Carter, the Welsh head of the British Lung Foundation<\/a> <\/span>explained that more education is needed for those in deprivation, \u201cUnderstanding is very limited. People are unaware of how serious it can be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stop smoking schemes<\/b><\/p>\n

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Public health Wales<\/a> in 2016 found that smoking among adults is 2.4 times higher in the most deprived fifth compared to the least deprived. <\/span><\/p>\n

Wales has more smokers than England and younger smokers, some starting as early as 15.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Joseph said stop smoking schemes need to target whole families and not just individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n

The National Survey for Wales from 2016\/17, found that 19% of the population in Wales smoke and 59% are overweight or obese. These are both contributing factors to respiratory disease. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Poor air, poor health<\/b><\/p>\n

Another major contributor to respiratory illness is air pollution<\/a>. Environmental law firm Client Earth<\/a> found that areas of Wales are breaching<\/a> the legal NO2 limit.<\/span><\/p>\n

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People have been breathing illegal levels of pollution for years. Public Health Wales argue that the number of deaths from poor air quality per year has increased to over 225 across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.<\/span><\/p>\n

People have been breathing illegal levels of pollution for years<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Joseph says, \u201cPeople who are concerned with air pollution and respiratory illness are often those not affected by it. It should not be a simply middle class interest. We need to reach those who live in deprived areas and raise awareness,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

The stark facts about health poverty in Wales<\/p>\n