Asthma deaths in Scotland have reached the highest level in 32 years, statistics show. Figures from the National Records of Scotland reveal 140 people died from asthma attacks in 2023, which is the largest number since 1992. Charity Asthma + Lung UK Scotland has called for urgent action after carrying out a survey which found 76% of people are not receiving “basic asthma care” including reviews, inhaler technique checks, and written asthma action plans.
Key risk factors for death from asthma include overuse of reliever inhalers, indicating poorly-controlled asthma, under-use of preventer inhalers, and recent emergency hospital visits receiving no follow-up. Additionally, the survey found less than 40% of respondents who had been treated in hospital for asthma were getting the care they needed within 48 hours – when they were most at risk – once they had been discharged. The charity is calling on the Scottish Government to make lung conditions a priority and ensure everyone with asthma has access to the basic level of care.
The figures come shortly after the 10-year anniversary of a key report by the Royal College of Physicians, published in 2014, which found two-thirds of asthma deaths were preventable. A spokesperson for the charity said: “Figures show that since the release of the landmark publication, the number of asthma deaths in Scotland has increased by 94% and increasingly stretched healthcare professionals don’t have the resources to provide people with t.