The Lung Health Equity Project
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The Lung Health Equity Project Report, developed by LCP Health and funded by AstraZeneca, with technical input from the London School of Economics (LSE) and guidance from an international Steering Committee, introduces a practical framework to identify, measure and address inequalities in COPD and lung cancer.
Establishing a framework to identify, measure and address inequalities in COPD and lung cancer
The Lung Health Equity Project is a multi-phase initiative focused on understanding, measuring and tracking inequalities in lung health to drive action across the determinants of health, disease burden, prevention, detection and diagnosis, treatment and management, and outcomes.
This report introduces the Lung Health Equity Framework, a practical and evidence-informed approach to identifying, measuring and tracking inequalities across the COPD and lung cancer pathway. Developed by LCP Health and funded by AstraZeneca, the report draws on input from an international Steering Committee comprising clinicians, patient advocates, health economists and health policy experts, alongside a supplementary evidence review conducted by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Designed for policymakers, health system leaders, researchers and advocates, the framework provides a structured approach to understanding where inequalities occur, how they can be measured and where targeted interventions could have the greatest impact.
Explore the report
Read the report here-
- Dr Abdalla M. Alasiri, Consultant Pulmonary Medicine, Abha Private International Hospital (APIH), Saudi Arabia
- Professor Giuseppe Arbia, Economic Statistics at the Faculty of Economics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
- Migdalia Denis, Director, Latin Health Leaders; Director for LatAm & Board Member, Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP), Founder & Hon. President, Sociedad Latina de Hipertensión Pulmonar
- Professor John Hurst, Professor of Respiratory Medicine, Pro Vice Provost and Vice Dean (International), University College London, UK
- Professor Alistair McGuire, Professor of Health Economics, Chair, LSE Health, and Kuwait Chair in Health Economics, UK
- Debra Montague, President, Lung Cancer Europe; Chair & Founder of ALK Positive, UK
- Professor Elias Mossialos, Director Global Health, London School of Economics, UK
- Dr Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, Head of Health, LCP and former Chair of the Royal Society for Public Health, UK
- Dr Nguyen Khanh Phuong PhD, Director, Health Strategy and Policy Institute, Ministry of Health, Vietnam
- Dr Gustavo Faibischew Prado, Pulmonologist, Chair of the Brazilian Lung Cancer Alliance, Member of the Cancer Committee of the Brazilian Thoracic Society (SBPT), Brazil
- Rafael Vilasanjuan, Director of Translation & Impact, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Spain
- Tonya Winders, MBA, President and CEO, Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform
- Professor Silvia Novello, Full Professor of Medical Oncology and Head of Medical Oncology Unit, San Luigi, Hospital in Orbassano, University of Turin, Italy and President of Women Against Lung Cancer in Europe (WALCE)
Key insights from the report
- Inequalities occur across the entire care pathway
People experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, those living in rural and remote communities, and some ethnic minority populations face repeated barriers across prevention, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. The report finds that inequity accumulates across the care pathway rather than occurring at a single point. - Data is the foundation for action
Without disaggregated data, health systems struggle to identify which populations are being left behind. The report highlights the importance of collecting and analysing data by factors such as sex, socioeconomic status, ethnicity and geography to reveal otherwise hidden care gaps. - Evidence-based interventions can reduce care gaps
Evidence-based approaches such as smoking cessation services, screening programmes, community diagnostics and integrated care models can improve outcomes when targeted towards the populations that need them most.
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Your questions answered
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The Lung Health Equity Framework is a structured, indicator-based framework designed to help identify, measure and address inequalities across the COPD and lung cancer pathway. It focuses on determinants of health, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes, allowing stakeholders to identify where disparities occur and how they can be addressed.
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COPD and lung cancer represent a significant share of the global burden of lung disease and share many common risk factors, including smoking, air pollution and occupational exposures. The two conditions also frequently coexist, making them a valuable starting point for an integrated approach to lung health equity.
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The report calls for organisations and governments to:
- Apply the framework using local and national data
- Invest in better health equity data and reporting
- Expand evidence-based prevention, diagnosis and treatment programmes
- Embed lung health within wider non-communicable disease and health equity strategies
- Address social and environmental determinants of lung health through cross-sector action
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The report proposes a four-step approach:
- Establish a baseline understanding of disease burden and risk factors
- Disaggregate data to identify underserved populations
- Identify where inequalities accumulate across the pathway
- Target interventions and monitor progress over time
This approach enables policymakers and health systems to prioritise resources where they can have the greatest impact.
