Note: World Lung Foundation united with The Union North America. From January 2016, the combined organization is known as “Vital Strategies.”
(New York, USA) – World Lung Foundation (WLF) today welcomed progress during 2012 in tobacco control and in the diagnosis and treatment of lung disease and acute respiratory infections. Successes during the past year have included the introduction of plain packaging for tobacco products in Australia, comprehensive smoke-free policies in additional regions and countries around the world and advanced technologies for diagnosing and managing tuberculosis.
World Lung Foundation also welcomed evidence of the success of public health programs in combating lung disease, as demonstrated by data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. The Institute’s analysis shows that Lower Respiratory Infections have fallen from being the third most common cause of death in 1990 to the fourth most common cause of death in 2010. Similarly, improvements in diagnosis and treatment have led to Tuberculosis dropping from being the sixth most common cause of death in 1990 to the tenth most common cause of death in 2010. However, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has risen from being the fourth to the third most common cause of death and Lung Cancer has risen from being the eighth to the fifth most common cause of death during the same period. Indoor air pollution continues to be a major killer among women in developing countries. To continue to address these diseases and conditions, World Lung Foundation is calling for more concerted action on lung health in 2013.
Peter Baldini, Chief Executive, World Lung Foundation, commented: “It is clear that we have a lot of work to do. While we are making progress in some disease areas, many millions are still dying prematurely from tuberculosis and respiratory infections. More worrying is the increase in deaths from COPD and Lung Cancer, both as a proportion of all deaths and in real terms. The primary risk factor for these and many other conditions is tobacco use, which is entirely preventable.
The number of people dying as a result of tobacco use will only increase as the global population increases and economic growth means more people in low and middle income countries are able to afford tobacco products unless governments take actions to protect their citizens. Other data show that reducing tobacco consumption and the exposure of non-smokers to second hand smoke also leads to reductions in other conditions such as heart attack and stroke – the two leading causes of death around the world.
We have proof of strategies that work in any country: raising tobacco product price through taxation, smoke-free laws, advertising bans, warning against dangers, and offering cessation help. In 2013, we reaffirm our commitment to improving lung health and call upon governments to accelerate their efforts to prevent and manage lung disease. We know that progress can be made, we just need to work harder.”