An analysis of NHS England data has revealed significant disparities in childhood hospital admissions for respiratory infections based on neighborhood deprivation levels. Children living in the most deprived areas of England experienced admission rates of 1,941 per 100,000 in 2024/25, compared to 1,380 per 100,000 children in the least deprived areas. When adjusted for population differences, this represents a 40% higher rate of hospital admission for respiratory conditions in the poorest communities.
The research, conducted by the charity Impact on Urban Health through freedom of information requests, examined national deprivation quintiles comparing the most and least disadvantaged 20% of English areas. Respiratory illnesses included acute upper and lower respiratory infections, influenza, and pneumonia. While the data did not specify exact causes for individual admissions, researchers identified air pollution as a significant contributing factor, with children in deprived neighborhoods experiencing exposure to higher levels of toxins and pollutants.
Experts emphasized that air pollution represents only part of a broader constellation of risk factors affecting respiratory health in disadvantaged communities. Poor housing quality, overcrowding, damp and mold, outdated heating systems, reduced indoor air quality, and secondhand smoke exposure are more prevalent in deprived areas and contribute to respiratory harm in children. Researchers noted that childhood respiratory infections can produce long-lasting health consequences throughout the lifespan.
Advocates have called for urgent policy action to address these inequalities. Proposals include overhauling the UK’s Clean Air Act with legally binding targets aligned with World Health Organization guidelines and prioritizing the most deprived communities. Air pollution is estimated to cause up to 43,000 deaths annually across the UK, with previous studies documenting its capacity to slow lung development in children and accelerate lung disease progression.
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