PEOPLE living in Bradford are more than 50 per cent likely to die from life-limiting lung disease COPD than the UK average.

Researchers have looked at contributing factors including smoking habits, air pollution and industrial work environments to produce the grim Bradford statistics.

The figures were released today by the British Lung Foundation to mark World COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Day and to encourage people to take their lung health seriously.

According to the charity, 115,000 people are diagnosed with the disease nationally each year, with millions of others who have it but do not realise.

Researchers from a Respiratory Health of the Nation project say if in their calculations the number 1 represents the national average of COPD deaths in the UK, Bradford’s figure stands at 1.532.

It contrasts with just 0.90 in Harrogate, 0.98 in Craven and in 0.58. People in Blackburn are worse off and have 60 per cent more chance of dying from COPD, and those in central Liverpool have more than 80 per cent more chance.

Figures from Bradford’s City and District Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) show more COPD cases were diagnosed in 2015-2016 than in the previous year with 1,533 patients in the Bradford CCG area and 8,177 patients under Bradford Districts CCG’s care.

There were 2,764 COPD patients in the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG in 2015-2016, totalling 1.86 per cent of its population.

According to data there could be another 29.1 per cent still not diagnosed.

Dr Chris Harris, clinical lead for long-term conditions at NHS Bradford Districts CCG, said: “Nationally, prevalence of COPD has risen slightly from 1.7 per cent in 2012-13 to 1.9 per cent in 2015-16 and this trend can be seen in both CCGS.

“Prevalence of COPD has risen in the City CCG from 1.1 per cent in 2012-13 to 1.2 per cent in 2015-16.

“Prevalence in the Bradford District CCG area has risen from 2.3 per cent to 2.4 per cent over the same period of time.”

Bradford’s CCGs and Airedale Hospital are all working to help people with COPD get treatment and support.

The British Lung Foundation’s helpline is on 03000 030 555.

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