Children in England’s poorest communities 40% more likely to be hospitalised with lung infections

Children living in England’s most deprived communities are 40% more likely to be admitted to hospital with respiratory infections than those living in the least deprived areas, according to a new analysis of NHS England data.

The analysis, carried out by the charity Impact on Urban Health using data obtained through Freedom of Information requests, found that during 2024/25 there were 1,941 hospital admissions per 100,000 children in the most deprived fifth of England, compared with 1,380 per 100,000 in the least deprived fifth. The figures include admissions for conditions such as acute upper and lower respiratory infections, influenza and pneumonia.

Health experts said the findings reflect wider inequalities affecting children’s health. They pointed to factors including air pollution, poor-quality and overcrowded housing, damp and mould, and exposure to tobacco smoke, all of which are more common in deprived communities and are known to increase the risk of respiratory illness.

The charity is calling for stronger action to improve air quality, including legally binding air pollution targets aligned with World Health Organization guidelines, alongside wider measures to tackle the environmental and social factors that contribute to poor respiratory health.

The findings come as national data continue to show that respiratory disease remains a major cause of emergency hospital admissions in England, with significant geographical and socioeconomic inequalities in outcomes.

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