Taiwan Urges Stronger Early Detection for Lung Diseases as Deaths Rise

Chronic lower respiratory diseases remain a significant public health concern in Taiwan, ranking as the ninth leading cause of death and claiming 5,796 lives in 2025, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Experts highlight that many individuals suffering from conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma often seek medical help only after symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing become pronounced. By this time, their lung function is frequently already in a moderate to severe state, making recovery more challenging.

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Many patients until they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, or decreased activity, then seek medical attention, at which time lung function is often significantly impaired.

Physicians emphasize that while conditions like hypertension and diabetes can be monitored through regular blood pressure and blood sugar checks, lung health often goes unassessed until symptoms appear. Chest X-rays, while useful for detecting structural abnormalities, do not reflect a patient's breathing capacity or airflow obstruction. Therefore, lung function tests are crucial for diagnosing and monitoring chronic lung diseases.

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Many COPD patients are diagnosed in the middle and late stages of the disease when lung function damage is often difficult to recover, and may even require repeated emergency room visits or hospitalizations.

Doctors are calling for intensified efforts in early detection and management, particularly for high-risk populations. These groups include current smokers, individuals with long-term exposure to dust or chemical environments, those experiencing chronic coughs, and the middle-aged and elderly. Experts suggest that individuals over 40 could benefit from regular lung function assessments, while those with a history of smoking or occupational exposure should undergo more frequent checks.

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How to identify high-risk groups early and intervene in management has become an important issue in lung disease prevention.

While the medical community has advocated for increased lung function testing for over a decade, the National Health Research Institutes currently advises against universal screening for asymptomatic adults. Instead, the focus remains on physician-led assessments for high-risk individuals. Early detection through lung function tests can enable interventions like smoking cessation, medication, pulmonary rehabilitation, and breathing exercises, potentially slowing disease progression and improving quality of life.

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COPD is a preventable and treatable chronic disease. If detected early, it is possible to slow the decline of lung function through smoking cessation and lifestyle changes, and to receive treatment before the condition becomes severe, reducing the risk of future disability and death.