Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of progress in reducing mortality rates for lung disease over the last 10 years.

Between 2006 and 2015 there was a large decrease in the mortality rate for lung disease for male patients. The mortality rate was 85.9 in 2006, and the latest available comparable rate, for 2016, is 68.9.

The mortality rate has also decreased for female patients between 2006 and 2016. It was 48 in 2006, and the latest comparable rate is 47.1 in 2015.

The evolution of mortality rates has led to an increase in the survival rate for individuals with lung disease. The national lung cancer audit shows an improvement in one-year survival rates and other improvements in care. One-year survival of lung cancer patients reached an all-time high for patients diagnosed in 2015, with 40.7.

In addition, Office for National Statistics figures show a reduction in asthma deaths under 65 over the last 15 years and the Manchester Healthy Lung screening pilot showed enhanced detection of early stage curable lung cancers and other lung problems.