This section shows how the prevalence of respiratory disease varies between different populations within Wakefield District.

• Asthma (6+) is more prevalent among:
  • people aged 50-89 (9.8%-10.7%), compared to district average (7.8%)
  • people living in the most deprived areas (87.2 per 1,000), compared to those living in the least deprived areas (68.1 per 1,000)
  • people with White British ethnicity (88.8 per 1,000), compared to other ethnic groups (27.9 per 1,000)
  • females (91.0 per 1,000), compared to males (65.3 per 1,000)

• COPD (all ages) is more prevalent among:
  • people aged 60-90+ (6.6%-12.9%), compared to district average (2.8%)
  • people living in the most deprived areas (48.9 per 1,000), compared to those living in the least deprived areas (12.4 per 1,000)
  • people with White British ethnicity (30.4 per 1,000), compared to other ethnic groups (4.5 per 1,000)
  • males (29.8 per 1,000), compared to females (27.1 per 1,000)

The following interactive dashboard can be used to explore variation in respiratory disease prevalence by different breakdowns.

This section shows how population health outcomes differ within Wakefield District for those with respiratory diseases.

• Respiratory disease mortality rates are higher among:
  • people living in the most deprived areas (238.6 per 100,000), compared to those living in the least deprived areas (74.2 per 100,000)
  • males (174.9 per 100,000), compared to females (126.3 per 100,000)

The following interactive dashboard can be used to explore variation in respiratory disease mortality rates by different breakdowns.

While genetics, environmental or external factors have been suggested to have links as causing asthma, there is no definitive evidence as to what causes asthma.

Exposure to smoke and smoking during pregnancy both influence the chances of developing asthma. Studies have shown exposure to second hand smoke to have an increased risk of developing asthma. 

The chart below shows the percentage of patients with asthma (age 6-19 years) who have a smoking status or exposure to second-hand smoke in the preceding 12 months. In 2023/24, this figure was 77.2% and was similar to national averages.

Other factors include:

• Family history
• Allergies
• Childhood lung infections
• Occupational exposure, such as chemicals, dust, fumes

COPD tends to develop later on and is more prevalent among middle-aged or older adults.

Factors which have been shown to have causal links with COPD include:

• Smoking
• Genetics
• Occupational exposure, such as dust and fumes

Asthma related triggers can cause inflammation of airways upon coming into contact with a trigger.

Each person’s asthma symptoms can be triggered by different things, meaning that not all who have asthma will experience symptoms in response to all triggers.

Common triggers include:

• Infections | colds and flu
• Allergies | pollen, dust mites or animals
• Smoke, fumes or pollution
• Weather | sudden temperature changes, cold air, thunderstorms, heat and humidity
• Poor air quality | mould and damp
• Exercise

COPD exacerbations involve a worsening of symptoms like breathlessness, coughing more, difficulties breathing or sleeping and changes in the colour or amount of sputum.

The most common triggers include:

• Respiratory infections such as colds, flu or pneumonia
• Environmental factors such as air pollution, smoke, dust or weather changes
• Smoking | both active and passive
• Poor management of COPD through missed medication or incorrect inhaler use