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Children in England's poorest areas 40% more likely to be hospitalised for respiratory infections

An analysis of NHS England data obtained via freedom of information requests by the charity Impact on Urban Health reveals that children in England's most deprived areas are 40% more likely to be admitted to hospital for respiratory infections. In 2024/25, the rate stood at 1,941 per 100,000 children in the poorest fifth of postcodes. Experts are raising alarm about the disproportionate impact of air pollution on children in deprived communities.