Breathing Unequal: what needs to change?
Our latest research showed shocking inequalities in lung health across the UK. Laura from our Policy team tells us more about it and gives our recommendations for tackling it.
Life with a lung condition - how you're helping us push for change
From January to March 2023, we ran our largest ever survey asking you about your care and experiences of living with a lung condition. Anna from our Data + Insights team explains what the survey was and how your responses are helping us fight for better lung health for all.
Leveraging behavioural science to design better asthma health technology
Our research aims to generate improved understanding about asthma self-management behaviours (e.g., adherence, self-monitoring, and healthcare usage) to identify potential areas of unmet need where health technology could offer scalable and effective solutions.
Rebecca’s Story – why I took on the Hula Hoop challenge
Our supporter, Rebecca took part in our Hula Hoop Challenge this year. She hula hooped for 15 minutes every day for 30 days in May. She raised over £200 to support our vital work fighting for lung health. Here she tells us how the memory of dad, Nick inspired her to take on the challenge, and how it helped improve her fitness.
Asthma in the workplace: what our supporters told us
We wanted to find out how out how our supporters manage their asthma at work. We surveyed 2000 of our supporters to find out more about how they handle their asthma at work. Laura from our Policy team talks us through what they told us.
Shining a light on Glasgow’s toxic air through the art of pottery
To celebrate Clean Air Day 2023, Asthma + Lung UK was part of an exciting and thought-provoking project which used the art of pottery to highlight the dangers of Glasgow’s toxic air. Maddy, our Regional Campaigns and Policy Officer, is here to tell you all about Glasgow Smogware.
Loft insulation scams – what you need to know
Over the last few months we’ve been hearing from some of our supporters who have received unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to work for a loft insulation company or an “energy hub”. These have claimed to represent Asthma + Lung UK, or one of our legacy charities, British Lung Foundation. Paul, our Head of Supporter Care tells us more.
End the Lung Health Lottery – the data behind the campaign
You might have seen that we have recently run a campaign to End the Lung Health Lottery. We looked into how lung conditions affect people differently across the UK, and found big differences in outcomes for respiratory conditions in different parts of the country. Here, Andrew from our data + Insights team tells us how we did it, what we want to see, and how you can explore the data we used in the campaign yourself.
Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone: read all about it
Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) will go live on 1 June 2023. If you live or work in Glasgow, you may be wondering what this means for you. Maddy, our Regional Campaigns and Policy Officer lays out what you need to know about the LEZ and why it’s such a vital step towards cleaner air for the city.
Making Britain smoke free
Smoking is one of the biggest causes of preventable illness and death in the UK, is estimated to cause 1 in 4 cancer deaths and causes many lung conditions. The government has recently announced plans to make Britain smoke free by 2030. Laura from our Policy team talks us through the new proposals and what they could mean for lung health in the UK.
What is the Wales Environment Bill and what difference will it make?
Joseph, Head of Devolved Nations, Asthma + Lung UK takes us through the new Wales Environment Bill and the impact it will have on air pollution in Wales.
Nine things you need to know about the ULEZ expansion
Olivia from our clean air team sets out everything you need to know about the upcoming Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion in August. Find out what this means for clean air in London and why we need you to continue making your voice heard.
Clinical trial recruitment: Asthma + Lung UK’s proposed solution
Clinical trials are an essential part of medical research, looking at new ways to prevent, detect or treat disease.
But recruitment into trials is struggling, with the number of patients accessing industry research falling by 44% between 2017 and 2021 (ABPI 2022). This is a serious threat to the long-term future of clinical research in the UK – and the benefits it brings to patients, the NHS and the economy.
How to get better care for your lung condition
With GP practices getting busier, appointments can be hard to find. But those with lung conditions can take charge of their illness to make sure they are getting the right treatment and care. Dr Andy Whittamore, Clinical Lead at Asthma + Lung UK, gives his advice on how you can help manage your lung condition well.
Fighting to end the lung health lottery
We are calling for the government to address stark inequalities in lung health across the UK with our recently launched End the Lung Health Lottery campaign. If we want to stop people dying avoidably from their lung conditions, these health inequalities need to be urgently addressed.
Why should we be thinking about the social impact of living with a lung condition?
For some people with long-term lung conditions, their symptoms can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Dr Lisa Jane Brighton, a researcher at King’s College London, explains why we should be thinking about how living with a long-term lung condition can affect people’s social wellbeing.
Changes to inhaler prescriptions: what they might mean
Dr Andrew Whittamore looks at recent changes to reliever inhaler prescriptions and explains what they mean and how closer monitoring of reliver inhaler use can improve asthma management. He also gives his advice on what you can do to make sure you’re getting the full benefits of your medicines.
How running the London Marathon helped me manage my grief - and why I’m doing it again
Laura Gilmore, a 37-year-old Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) from Prestwick near Glasgow, will be tackling the iconic TSC London Marathon for Asthma + Lung UK Scotland for the second time. She tells us how running helped managed her grief after losing her dad to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and why she’s fundraising in his memory.
Making the UK a lung research superpower
Six million people in the UK currently have a lung condition and someone dies from one every five minutes. The research that is needed to prevent people developing these conditions, as well as diagnosing, treating, and managing them if they do, is seriously underfunded. Our new report sets out why we need to see more investment and how it should be invested.
Managing fatigue with a lung condition
Fatigue is very common with a lung condition. Tina has bronchiectasis and interstitial lung disease (ILD) and struggles with feeling tired on a daily basis. She’s found some excellent ways to help her cope and stay positive. In this blog, she shares her story and her advice for anyone else struggling with feelings of exhaustion.