On World Pneumonia Day, 12 November 2023, the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), of which the APSR is a founding member, is highlighting the urgent challenges in pneumonia prevention and treatment globally.
In 2021, an estimated 6 million people died from respiratory infections, predominantly pneumonia including COVID-19, according to the Global Burden of Disease. Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in young children. Over 650,000 children under five die from pneumonia each year - especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Pneumonia is also a major cause of deaths among the elderly. However, pneumonia can be prevented and treated.
There are several effective preventive strategies for pneumonia, including: good nutrition, prevention of HIV, hand washing, reducing exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution, and effective vaccines. New vaccines have recently been developed to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the most common cause of pneumonia in infants and a frequent cause in the elderly. However, global access and affordability of these vaccines is needed. Treating pneumonia requires access to effective antibiotics and oxygen, but this too is still suboptimal in many LMICs.
With effective preventive and treatment strategies, dramatic reductions in mortality and improved childhood survival, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 3.2, should be possible.
Despite many efforts, there are still barriers to ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need. These include:
On World Pneumonia Day, FIRS calls on governments and other stakeholders to take urgent action to tackle pneumonia by:
FIRS member Pan African Thoracic Society representative Prof. Heather Zar said: "Strengthening preventive and treatment interventions to ensure everyone has access to these effective interventions is crucial to reduce deaths and illness from pneumonia. New vaccines must be available and affordable globally."
FIRS President Dr David CL Lam added: "An effective vaccination strategy will reduce the spread of pneumonia, and its impact on the population. Equal access to treatment, namely appropriate antibiotics, is especially important. Appropriate use of antibiotics would offer a more effective treatment strategy and reduce the emergence of drug resistance."
"Because action on pneumonia is essential for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals - especially the goal to end preventable deaths of children under five - and for effective pandemic preparedness and response, we must step up our efforts."
Media contact: Fiona Salter Fiona.salter@firsnet.org
Pneumonia
The Global Impact of Respiratory Disease report outlines major causes of respiratory disease and lays out recommendations for global action.
About the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS)