The Scottish Health Survey 2022: summary report

Key findings from the Scottish Health Survey 2022 report.


Chapter 3. Respiratory

Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma has ranged from 13% to 17% since 2003, and has remained between 16% and 17% since 2017.

  • 2003: 13%
  • 2008: 13%
  • 2010: 14%
  • 2012: 16%
  • 2013: 16%
  • 2014: 17%
  • 2015: 17%
  • 2016: 15%
  • 2017: 16%
  • 2018: 17%
  • 2019: 16%
  • 2021: 16%
  • 2022: 17%

A higher prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma was recorded among children aged 8-15 compared with those aged 0-7:

  • 0-7 years: 6%
  • 8-15 years: 13%

Among those aged 25-34, just over a fifth of women reported having wheezed in the last 12 months, a higher proportion than among men in the same age group.

  • Women 25-34: 22%
  • Men 25-34: 11%

In 2022, the proportion of adults who reported having wheezed in the last 12 months decreased from

  • Most deprived: 23%
  • 2th: 20%
  • 3rd: 16%
  • 4nd: 14%
  • Least deprived: 12%

Adults who smoked 20 or more cigarettes a day were more likely to report having wheezed in the past 12 months than non/occasional smokers.

  • Smokers: 40%
  • Non-smokers: 12%

Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) increased with age, from:

  • <1% of those aged 16-44 years
  • 12-13% of those aged >65 years

In 2022, prevalence of doctor-diagnosed COPD varied as follows:

  • 2% of adults who had never smoked or had smoked occasionally
  • 7% of adults who had smoked previously
  • 11% of current smokers (<20 cigarettes per day)
  • 19% current smokers of 20 or more cigarettes per day

In 2018/19/21/22 combined, the most common forms of treatment received by all adults for a COPD were:

  • Medication: 64%
  • Regular check-ups: 53%
  • Immunisations: 28%

In 2022, 13% of adults reported that they ever had long COVID[3], while prevalence among children was 4%. Those aged 45-54 were most likely to report having ever had long COVID (19%).

  • 0-15: 4%
  • 16-24: 9%
  • 25-34: 10%
  • 35-44: 14%
  • 45-54: 19%
  • 55-64: 16%
  • 65-74: 10%
  • 75+: 7%

Contact

Email: ScottishHealthSurvey@gov.scot

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