{
  "id": 7260453,
  "title": "Respiratory disease ranks among Malaysia’s top three health burdens",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/respiratory-disease-ranks-among-malaysias-top-three-health-burdens",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T06:32:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/lifestyles/127271/respiratory-disease-ranks-among-malaysias-top-three-health-burdens"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Respiratory diseases have emerged as one of Malaysia's top three health burdens, according to Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. Asthma affects up to 13% of children and 6% of adults, while approximately one in three patients with respiratory conditions remain undiagnosed, according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023. Chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), continue to cause significant health burdens and impose pressure on the health system. Tuberculosis, another major public health challenge, had an incidence rate of 96 cases per 100,000 population in 2024.\n\nTo tackle these issues, the Health Ministry is implementing the Healthy Lung Initiative 2025-2030, which aims to improve early detection and treatment by integrating lung health care in 902 health clinics nationwide. This approach includes health promotion, screening, smoking cessation efforts, and referral pathways tailored to individual needs. The ministry is also expanding its Precision Public Health strategy through artificial intelligence-assisted chest X-ray screening, including the IHH-Health Ministry-Royal Malaysia Police LungShield program, which aims to screen 10,000 traffic police personnel.\n\nSupporting these initiatives, the National Lung Health Registry (NALURY) will be used to monitor and evaluate respiratory health programs. Dr Dzulkefly emphasized the importance of research and collaboration under the Responsible Science and Practice in Emerging Respiratory Health (RESPIRE) initiative. The annual scientific meeting, attended by about 140 delegates and experts, facilitates the sharing of research findings and discussions to improve respiratory health policies and clinical practices.",
  "summary": "RESPIRATORY diseases are among Malaysia’s three leading causes of hospital admissions and deaths, with a significant proportion of asthma cases still undiagnosed, prompting the Health Ministry to expand integrated lung care nationwide. Health Ministe...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}