Article topics: Asthma, National Review of Asthma Deaths, Patient self-management, Personalised asthma action plans, Recommendations
The UK has one of the highest death rates from asthma in Europe (Global Asthma Network, 2014). Every day three people die from asthma, two-thirds of these deaths are preventable (Asthma UK, n.d.). Why asthma still kills: The National Review of Asthma Deaths. Confidential Enquiry Report (NRAD) was published in 2014 by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). It is the largest worldwide study looking into why people die from asthma and the first to adopt a UK-wide focus. The NRAD identified that only a fifth of people with asthma are receiving all the basic elements of asthma care which could help them manage their asthma effectively and reduce their risk of experiencing an asthma attack. It provided valuable insights and clear practical recommendations which, if implemented, could improve care and reduce the number of asthma deaths (RCP 2014).