Facts about lung disease
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In Manitoba respiratory diseases are the most common reason for a doctor visit.i
In Manitoba, lung disease (excluding lung cancer) accounts for 7.3 per cent of all hospital
admissions.ii
About nine per cent of Manitobans who die each year succumb to a respiratory disease,
not including lung cancer.iii
About 105,000 Manitobans have asthma. Asthma is the leading cause of emergency
room visits for children.iv In Manitoba, 37,000 children have asthma.v
Manitoba has among the highest number of tuberculosis cases in Canada and the
majority of cases are seen in Aboriginal Canadians.vi
From 2000–14, of the 513 Manitobans who died from workplace injures or diseases, 26
per cent died died from preventable occupational lung diseases.vii
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths.viii
Lung disease accounts for nearly $5.70 billion in direct (visible) costs of health care, such
as for hospitalization, physician visits, research and drugs, as well as an additional $6.72
billion for less visible (indirect) expenses associated with disability and mortality.ix
Canada-wide, lung disease rates are escalating and the current economic burden of lung
cancer, COPD and asthma could double by 2030 to $24.1 billion.x
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has the highest rate of hospitalization
among chronic diseases in Canadaxi.
i
Manitoba Health Annual Statistics, 2012-13
ii
Manitoba Health Annual Statistics, 2012-13
iii
Manitoba Health Annual Statistics, 2012-13
iv
Asthma Society of Canada: Asthma Facts and Statistics FAQs
v
Statistics Canada, Asthma by gender, provinces and territories: Province of Manitoba Population information and
the Manitoba Lung Association; all 2014.
vi
Public Health Agency of Canada: Tuberculosis in Canada 2012: Pre-release
vii
Safe Work Manitoba: The Manitoba Workplace Injury Statistics Report 2000–2014
viii
The Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Cancer Statistics 2015 Special topic: Predictions of the future burden of
cancer in Canada
ix
Life and Breath: Respiratory Disease in Canada (2007), Public Health Agency of Canada
x
Cost Risk Analysis for Chronic Lung Disease in Canada, The Conference Board of Canada, 2012
xi
Health Indicators 2008: Canadian Institute of Health Information