The exceedingly high burden of acute and chronic respiratory diseases--global situation and prospects.

Mortality data are presented for acute and chronic respiratory diseases, on a world-wide basis for the period 1970-1982, encompassing 76-88 countries, with a population of 1.1-1.3 billion. Despite the declining trend of respiratory conditions, mortality from acute respiratory infections is still rampant at the two extremes of the lifespan and pneumonia attains unacceptably high mortality rates in developing countries. Chronic respiratory diseases claim a significant proportion of lives in the old age groups in both developed and developing countries. It is now sufficient evidence that respiratory diseases are preventable and the reduction of mortality is possible through appropriate intervention programmes.