Children in England's poorest areas face 40% higher hospital admissions for respiratory infections

**Air pollution drives higher hospital admissions for children in England’s poorest areas**

An analysis of NHS England data released by the charity Impact on Urban Health shows that children living in the most deprived fifth of the country are 40 % more likely to be admitted to hospital for respiratory infections than their peers in less deprived areas. The study, based on figures obtained through freedom‑of‑information requests, found that 1,941 out of every 100,000 children in the most deprived quintile were admitted for respiratory illnesses during the 2024/25 financial year.

Experts warn that the findings highlight the disproportionate burden of air pollution on young people in deprived communities. The data underscore the need for targeted public‑health interventions and stricter air‑quality controls to protect vulnerable children from preventable respiratory disease.