Climate change is the defining challenge of the 21st century and is linked to significant health threats . Countries around the globe will need to undertake efforts to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and become carbon neutral by mid-century to tackle the climate change issue.
The healthcare sector is the largest public sector contributor of GHG emissions. GHG emissions from healthcare accounted for 6.3% of the national total in England in 2017.
Around 5.4 million people are treated for asthma in the UK and it is estimated that of these between 5-10% experience severe asthma. Although a small proportion of asthma patients would suffer sever condition they account for a large proportion of healthcare resource utilization and therefore a large carbon footprint. This study will measure the healthcare recourse use and complete carbon footprint of care for patients with severe asthma. We will estimate how taking medications and healthcare resource use each contribute to the carbon footprint of severe asthma patients in different stage of their disease.
In an effort to combat climate change, countries are seeking to decarbonise their economies, and the healthcare sector has emerged as a central target of improvement(1,2). Healthcare is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the public sector, with a carbon footprint equivalent to 4.4% of global net GHG emissions(2). Understanding the carbon footprint of treatment interventions may help identify practical strategies to reduce GHG emissions via patient-centric principles of improving disease management.
The aim of this study is to describe and quantify healthcare resource utilisations (HCRU) and GHG emissions associated with severe asthma care in the UK. This is a retrospective observational study based on routinely collected medical records data. We will use CPRD Aurum, linked to Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) and mortality data between the 1st January 2007 until March 31st 2022 and CO2 Equivalent Emissions data. Study population are patients with asthma ≥12 years-old who were identified with a recorded high dose ICS prescription with LABA or LTRA. The date of the first ever reported high dose ICS prescription is the index date. This study is primarily descriptive in nature describing the proportion of patients transitioning from severe asthma to severe uncontrolled asthma, and regular specialist care. The HCRU and GHG emissions associated with each of these steps will be reported.
proportions; care pathways; exacerbations; health resource utilisation; total CO2 emission
Mina Khezrian - Chief Investigator - AstraZeneca Ltd - UK Headquarters
Mina Khezrian - Corresponding Applicant - AstraZeneca Ltd - UK Headquarters
Eleni Rapsomaniki - Collaborator - AstraZeneca Ltd - UK Headquarters
Shruti Menon - Collaborator - AstraZeneca Ltd - UK Headquarters
HES Accident and Emergency;HES Admitted Patient Care;HES Outpatient;ONS Death Registration Data;Patient Level Index of Multiple Deprivation;Practice Level Index of Multiple Deprivation