Poorest children in England 40% more likely to be hospitalised for lung infections

Children living in the poorest areas of England are 40% more likely to be hospitalised for respiratory infections compared to those in the wealthiest areas, according to an analysis of NHS England data by the charity Impact on Urban Health.

The data, obtained via freedom of information requests, showed that in 2024-25, 1,941 out of every 100,000 children in the most deprived fifth of England were admitted to hospital for respiratory illnesses, including acute upper and lower respiratory infections, influenza, and pneumonia. In the least deprived areas, the rate was 1,380 per 100,000. In absolute terms, the poorest areas had 82% more admissions, equivalent to a 41% higher rate after adjusting for population size.

While the data does not pinpoint exact causes, air pollution is identified as a major risk factor. Dr Gergo Baranyi, a senior research fellow at University College London, noted that children in deprived neighbourhoods are exposed to dirtier air, but also suffer from poor housing, overcrowding, damp, mould, outdated heating, and smoking. "These conditions can all harm children's respiratory health," he said.

Ben Pearce, who leads a programme on air pollution and health at Impact on Urban Health, called the figures "shocking" and "appalling." He called for an overhaul of the UK's Clean Air Act with legally binding targets aligned with World Health Organization guidelines. "No child's future should be shaped by the postcode they are born into," he said.

Dr Helena Clements, officer for climate change at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, added that air pollution damages children's developing lungs and drives avoidable illness and hospital admissions. Air pollution is estimated to cause up to 43,000 deaths annually in the UK. The Department of Health and Social Care was approached for comment.