Workers Lose Millions of Days to Respiratory Illness

The number of working days lost due to respiratory illness has soared by nearly ten million since the pandemic, causing significant concern among employers and health authorities. According to data published by the Office for National Statistics ONS the number of days lost rose from six million in 2020 to 16 million in 2022. Charities have attributed this alarming increase to chronic neglect of respiratory healthcare and deteriorating air quality.

Data revealed that respiratory illnesses emerged as the largest contributor to short-term absence within the civil service. In 2024 they accounted for 24.1% of average working days lost across various sectors. This highlights the critical need for enhanced healthcare provisions and preventive measures to address the growing burden of respiratory conditions.

Leading experts emphasise that poor respiratory care has resulted in a downward spiral of health outcomes, which culminates in frequent emergency visits to hospitals. Jonathan Blades head of policy at Asthma and Lung UK noted that the neglect in respiratory health services is not a new phenomenon but has worsened in the wake of the pandemic.

The ONS data indicates that 8.7% of working days lost to illness in 2022 were due to respiratory conditions. This marks a notable increase of two percentage points compared to 2021. The uptick reveals a concerning trend whereby individuals with inadequately managed respiratory conditions are increasingly unable to participate in the workforce.

A recent survey conducted by Asthma and Lung UK found that only one in four respondents with asthma had access to essential care. This includes annual reviews written asthma action plans and checks of inhalers. Personal testimonies from individuals suffering severe asthma attacks paint a picture of the struggles faced by many in maintaining a semblance of normalcy in their lives.

Delays in diagnostic tests such as Spirometry have contributed to a growing number of undiagnosed individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Many of these diagnostic services were put on hold during the pandemic due to fears of contamination which further exacerbated the existing healthcare gaps.

As air pollution and poor living conditions become increasingly linked to respiratory illnesses the call for action is urgent. Blades argues that clean air initiatives must be prioritised to reverse these alarming trends and protect public health. Proactive measures in healthcare policy could lead to a healthier workforce and ultimately reduce the strain on the UK’s economy.