ABSTRACT
Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) are responsible for four million deaths worldwide and around 83% and 13% of them are attributable to chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) and asthma, respectively. Approximately 500 million people have CRD. Around 50% of CRD deaths are attributable to smoking or second-hand smoke, 20% to ambient air pollution particular matter, 10% to household particular matter (mainly in low- and middle-income countries), with social patterns. This chapter highlights the importance therefore of interventions in multiple sectors to address these behavioural and environmental risk factors. At the individual level, diagnosis is based on symptoms and lung function tests such as spirometry and a peak flow meter. There is no cure for COPD but early diagnosis and treatment cam slow the progression of symptoms and reduce the risk of flare-ups. Treatment of COPD and asthma relies on symptom relief (e.g. salbutamol or oxygen therapy in advanced CRD cases), smoking cessation and vaccination against microorganisms that incur pulmonary complications. It is important that CRDs are managed in a way that is integrated across public health programmes and primary and secondary care.
