People from ethnic minority backgrounds living in England’s most deprived areas are significantly more likely to need emergency care for asthma than their white peers, a major health analysis has revealed—exposing stark inequalities in asthma and lung care across the country.
According to new findings from Asthma and Lung UK, Asian patients with asthma residing in England’s most economically deprived communities are nearly three times more likely to be admitted to hospital in an emergency than white patients.
Black asthma patients in similar areas are more than twice as likely to require emergency care.
The analysis, based on NHS hospital admission statistics, also highlights deep inequality in care for those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
People aged between 45 and 54 in the most deprived quintile are nine times more likely to need emergency hospital admission than those in the wealthiest areas.
In the UK, one in five people will develop a lung condition during their lifetime. Asthma alone affects around one in nine adults and one in eight children, with disparities growing increasingly apparent.
A survey of more than 9,000 patients living with a lung condition in England this year revealed that 34.2% of materially deprived respondents had turned to emergency services in the past year.
Worryingly, nearly 17% said they struggled to keep their homes warm—rising to 28.2% among renters.
‘Shocking Inequality’: Call for Urgent Government Action
Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Asthma and Lung UK, described the data as a wake-up call for the government, labelling the findings “shocking health inequalities in our society”.
“The UK has the highest death rate in Europe from lung conditions,” said Sleet. “These illnesses are more strongly linked to inequality than any other major health issue. People from deprived and ethnic minority backgrounds are far more likely to hit a crisis point.”
Sleet pointed to poor housing, damp, mould, and air pollution as root causes and aggravators of chronic respiratory conditions—factors that disproportionately impact lower-income and minority communities.
She urged the government to seize the opportunity presented by its upcoming 10-year NHS plan to prioritise respiratory care.
“We need swift and accurate diagnoses, accessible treatments, and support services to help people manage their conditions and remain economically active for longer,” she said. “This means cutting smoking rates, tackling air pollution, and investing in safe housing.”
Respiratory Experts Warn of Systemic Failures
Dr Hugo Farne, a respiratory consultant at Imperial College London specialising in asthma, said the figures paint a “deeply troubling reality” in modern Britain.
“These are not just numbers—they represent lives shortened or worsened by health inequalities that should not exist,” said Farne.
“Smoking rates, poor air quality, housing conditions, and barriers to accessing GP services all contribute—many of which are preventable.”
Farne called for urgent, targeted action not just in healthcare delivery, but in addressing the social determinants of health such as housing quality, heating access, and education.
