Respiratory Disease - Epidemiology

Epidemiology

Respiratory disease is a common and important cause of illness and death around the world. In the US, approximately 1 billion "common colds" occur each year. In the UK, approximately 1 in 7 individuals are affected by some form of chronic lung disease, most commonly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Respiratory diseases (including lung cancer) are responsible for over 10% of hospitalizations and over 16% of deaths in Canada.