These three grand challenges set agenda for the next 10 years of respiratory research
The development and publication of these goals is supported by the Lung Research and Innovation Group, a group of experts from across the respiratory sector, and people living with lung conditions.
1. Diagnosis: Halve the number of people living with an undiagnosed lung condition
1 in 4 people with COPD wait more than 5 years for a diagnosis.
750,000 people in England are misdiagnosed with asthma.
Saving and improving lives starts with early, accurate diagnosis. Today, getting a respiratory diagnosis if often a long and inaccurate process, involving multiple invasive tests and rounds of specialist analysis.
Find out more about the goals to meet the diagnosis challenge.
2. Prevention: reduce the number of people with preventable lung conditions and halve avoidable hospital admissions
42,000 people needed emergency hospital care for breathing difficulties in 2024.
Secondary care for lung conditions costs the NHS £6.3 billion a year.
Nobody should have to live with a lung condition that could have been prevented. Nor should they face uncontrollable flare ups, emergency hospitalisation, and worsening health which could have been prevented with better care.
Find out more about the goals to keep lungs healthy throughout life
3. Treatment: Discover cures for lung conditions and new treatments that significantly reduce symptoms
More people die from a lung condition in the UK than anywhere else in Europe.
Asthma attacks kill four people in the UK everyday.
Current treatments fall short of saving people's lives. Research is critical to expanding treatment options that allow people with lung conditions to live and live well.
Find out more about how we can develop new treatments and cures
Lung research is on life support
Respiratory research has been chronically underfunded. There have been few game-changing improvements in respiratory care in the past 30 years meaning lung conditions are the leading cause of emergency admissions and for many, managing their lung health can be incredibly challenging.
Bringing experts together to accelerate progress
Addressing the Lung Research Grand Challenges will require a concerted effort from the academic community of researchers, innovators, industry, charities, and public funders of science. These 10-year goals will unite these communities to secure progress in three areas: prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.