People living in Knowsley, Merseyside, are among the most likely in the country to die from lung conditions, according to figures released by Asthma & Lung UK in March 2023. The borough ranked highest in the UK when combining emergency admission and death rates for lung conditions, with Liverpool also in the top 10.
Health director's mission
Dr Sarah McNulty, Director of Health for Knowsley, has outlined efforts to combat the issue. She stated that she will be able to end her career happy if she can successfully help bring about a change to the worrying levels of lung health conditions in the region.
Deprivation and smoking link
Dr McNulty explained that lung conditions and premature mortality are heavily linked to deprivation, which in turn is linked to historical smoking rates. Smoking is the biggest cause of lung cancer and a major contributor to COPD and asthma exacerbations. She noted that smoking is now more of an inequalities issue, with people from deprived areas, those with mental health issues, addiction issues, social housing residents, and routine or manual workers more likely to smoke.
Living conditions
Another contributor is living conditions. Dr McNulty said that financial struggles can lead to cold, damp homes, which exacerbate pre-existing respiratory illnesses. She expressed passion for the population she has served for 18 years, noting that the disproportionate impact on Knowsley is largely preventable and represents a huge health inequality.
Progress and initiatives
Despite the worrying numbers, significant strides have been made. Over the last 12 months, 1,068 residents successfully quit smoking. Initiatives include targeted lung checks rolled out across Knowsley, which detect lung cancer at an early stage. Work has also been done to encourage eligible people to take up the service, such as in Kirkby. Additionally, GP registries of people with respiratory illnesses like COPD are used to target messages about support for fuel poverty, particularly in winter.
Dr McNulty emphasised that tobacco is a massive driver of health inequalities, and reducing tobacco harm is a key goal for her career.
