Respiratory disease

Respiratory disease affects one in five people and is the third biggest cause of death in England. It is strongly linked to health inequalities because some groups of people are more likely to develop and be affected by it than others. Our research aims to reduce those inequalities and improve outcomes for people affected by respiratory disease.

Our researchers want to increase our understanding of pleural disease to develop care that meets peoples’ specific needs. We are also investigating aerosol emissions (particles humans breathe out while talking, breathing, sneezing or coughing) and what makes diseases of the airway worse. Finally, we are working with their colleagues at the Surgical and orthopaedic innovation theme to develop surgical devices to improve how we treat respiratory disease.

To maximise equality and inclusion, we have partnered with the Bradford Institute for Health Research. This will help us involve ethnically and economically diverse communities in our work. Especially as these groups are traditionally excluded from research, despite being disproportionately affected by respiratory disease. To promote this opportunity for involvement to people who may not speak English as a first language, we have developed accessible information in different formats.