Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) represent the third leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. India accounting for nearly one-third of global respiratory disease-related health loss, with COPD affecting approximately 7.4% of adults and asthma affecting nearly 2-3% of the population, resulting in premature deaths, and increasing burden on health systems. Air pollution alone contributes to more than 2 million deaths each year in India, with urban populations experiencing increasing exposure to particulate matter, occupational dust, tobacco smoke, and indoor pollution.
Our Approach
Our approach is to build on a multi-stakeholder collaboration involving government departments, healthcare providers, civil society organisations, and community institutions to develop a scalable and replicable model for respiratory healthcare. We are actively engaging Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Mahila Arogya Samitis (MAS), Urban Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (UHSNCs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and Community Facilitators (CFs) of KHPT to promote community ownership and strengthen local resilience.
Within the public health system, we support Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) and Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) to enhance their capacity for respiratory care through trainings, facility assessments, and improved diagnostic and referral pathways.
Our Achievements
We conducted a multi-stakeholder consultation workshop bringing together government health officials, Urban Primary Health Centre teams, frontline health workers, occupational representatives, civil society organisations, and persons with lived experiences to co-design locally relevant respiratory health solutions and strengthen collaborative ownership of the initiative. At this workshop, the medical officer of Gottigere UPHC joined by the entire frontline health workforce launched the Respiratory Resilience Project – Building Respiratory Resilience among Bengaluru’s Most Vulnerable Communities that aims to design and implement equity- focused interventions addressing asthma and COPD among vulnerable urban populations exposed to environmental and occupational risks.
We conducted hands-on training on COPD and asthma screening for ASHAs, Community Facilitators (CFs), and Mahila Arogya Samiti (MAS) members in Gottigere, covering the use of peak flow meters, spirometry, and COPD screening questionnaires.
