Respiratory Diseases

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Respiratory Disease Mortality

Respiratory disease cause more deaths in Somerset than any other condition type apart from Cancers and Circulatory diseases. In the period of 2017-19, there were deaths caused by respiratory disease in Somerset as follows.

• Pneumonia (all mentions)   2,275 
• Pneumonia (underlying cause)   810
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (direct cause)*   893
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (contributory cause)*   893
• Asthma 26

*Figures for 2016-18

Source: Public Health England 'InHale' profile

Respiratory infection is associated with social inequalities in all age groups and particularly in children. 

In Somerset the population in the lower quintiles of deprivation have a greater frequency of emergency admission to hospital. Emergency admissions for children due to lower respiratory infections are decreasing in Somerset. 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the most common respiratory diseases and usually affects those over the age of 35.  For 2018/19, Somerset's emergency hospital admission rate for COPD (200.9/100,000 all ages) was significantly lower than the England value (247.0/100,000).

Immunisations are available to protect against certain respiratory infections. Uptake is especially important for vulnerable groups such as older people and those with compromised immune systems. In Somerset, ‘flu and pneumococcal vaccination rates are higher than the national average however there are still many people who could benefit by receiving protection through vaccination.