Dr. Vinay D. MD FNB FRSPH.
Senior Consultant Infectious Diseases, Adult Vaccinology and Travel Medicine, Apollo Hospitals Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore Observed annually since 12 November 2009, under the "Stop Pneumonia" initiatives by Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia, World Pneumonia Day highlights the need to draw attention to a widespread yet less understood (among the general population) disease process called pneumonia. According to the World Health Organisation 14 Lakh children under the age of five years die every year because of Pneumonia, accounting for 18% of all deaths of children under five years old worldwide. According to UNICEF, every 39 sec a child dies of Pneumonia.
The risk of acquiring pneumonia for a 65-year-old with COPD or chronic lung disease is 7.7 times higher than a healthy one, and for those with asthma there is 5.9 times greater risk.
It is estimated that 16 Lakh pneumonia deaths among adults aged over 50 are attributable to air pollution and smoking. In view of such huge impact that pneumonia has on global healthcare and health in general, the theme of the World Pneumonia Day for the year 2024 is "Every Breath Counts: Stop Pneumonia in Its Track”. The theme highlights the significance of every breath, and underscores the urgency of stopping pneumonia through early detection, treatment, and prevention.
What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is defined in medical terms as an infection which affects one or both lungs and manifests usually with symptom.
