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People living in poverty are twice as likely to end up in hospital fighting for breath - Cystic Fibrosis Trust response to new report
The new analysis shows that health inequalities are deepening as many bear the brunt of the cost of living and are forced to make impossible choices about their health. Just like our own report, Your Life and CF, showed, there are many struggling to afford essentials, such as attending medical appointments, food, heating, and paying for medication.
The report, based Asthma and Lung UK’s largest ever survey of over 14,000 people with lung conditions, found that of the lowest earners surveyed:
- One in four are struggling with breathlessness every day
- Nearly half (46%) of those who pay for prescriptions said they couldn’t afford to pay for them, compared to just 6% of the highest income group.
- Only just over a third (37%) were able to access same-day GP care, compared to half (50.1%) of the highest earners.
- They were more than twice as likely as the highest earners to give up work in the last year due to breathlessness.
- Seven out of 10 felt their lung condition has worsened and nearly two thirds (61%) feel that they need more support with their condition now than they did a year ago.
Struggling to breathe can be a terrifying and debilitating experience – it’s unacceptable that people living in poverty with a lung condition are struggling to access support when their symptoms get worse and are at greater risk of ending up in hospital fighting for their life. I have heard from people who have said that the cost-of-living crisis is doing irreparable damage to their lungs.
Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive at Asthma + Lung UK
We should do all we can to minimise the need for emergency hospital treatment, which is why there needs to be a seismic shift in how this Government tackles poverty and health inequalities, as the cost-of-living crisis makes it even harder for people to breathe.
Your health should not suffer more because of where you live, or how much money you have, so it's shocking to see that poverty is playing such a role for people with lung conditions. As our latest report showed, cost has a huge impact on the health of people with cystic fibrosis - with 1 in 5 people missing vital hospital appointments as a result. CF also carries an additional financial burden each year to stay well, with recent figures showing this cost stands at over £6500 a year.
Ben Kind, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Cystic Fibrosis Trust
We need to see long-term solutions from the Government to ensure everyone with CF can heat their home, attend essential hospital appointments, and receive free prescriptions for life-saving medicines, regardless of where they live.
We’re here to help
If you or someone you support with CF are struggling to afford basic essentials to stay well, please do contact our Helpline, and we’ll look at how we can help you and your family.
Call 0300 373 1000 or 020 3795 2184, Monday–Friday 10am–4pm
Email [email protected]
Chat with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
Message us on WhatsApp on 07361 582053
Your CF team can also support you; it’s important that you let them know if you’re finding it hard to afford the things you need to stay well.
We will continue to raise awareness of the financial challenges facing people with CF, campaign for greater support from the Government and strengthen the direct support that we provide to those in our community who need it most.
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