The analysis found that people from minority backgrounds from England’s poorest areas were three times more likely to need emergency treatment for asthma than whites.

An analysis of NHS statistics on charity asthma and lungs found that Asians from the most deprived of asthma in England were nearly three times more likely to be admitted to hospital urgently than their white counterparts. Among the poorest fifths, black people with asthma are more than twice as likely to be asymptomatic than their white counterparts.

Analysis shows that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ages between the most deprived five or fifty-five years are nine times higher than those with the least deprived one or fifty-five.

Throughout the UK, one in five people will develop lung conditions throughout their lives, and asthma affects one in nine adults and one in eight children.

Asthma and Lung The UK surveyed more than 9,000 people with lung conditions in England this year, which found that over a third (34.2%) of respondents who experienced significant deprivation in the past year have used emergency services. Almost one in five (17%) of respondents said they worked to keep their homes warm, rising to nearly one third (28.2%) of tenants.

Sarah Sleet, CEO of the charity, said the numbers highlight “the astonishing health inequality in our society.”

Shelley said: "The UK has the worst lung condition in Europe They are more closely linked to inequality than any other major health condition. The fact that people from the most impoverished neighborhoods and minority backgrounds are more likely to reach a crisis point is another wake-up call.

“Social shortcomings – social shortcomings including housing, mold, moisture and air pollution can all lead to chronic lung conditions and make them worse. This is the poorest people in society, as well as minority communities that are more likely to live in areas with low-quality housing and high air pollution.”

She said the government’s 10-year plan for the NHS is a “not-missible opportunity” to ensure respiratory health priorities.

“People with lung disease need quick, accurate diagnosis and access to treatment and services, allowing them to manage their condition well, improve their quality of life, and maintain a part of their workforce,” she said. “This means taking actions to reduce smoking rates and support smokers to quit, address air pollution and address broader issues such as housing poverty.”

Dr. Hugo Farne, a respiratory consultant at Imperial College, has a professional interest in asthma, saying the statistics show "an unsettling reality."

“These numbers are not only statistics, but also reflect shortened or restricted life in modern Britain that should not exist,” Farn said. “There will be many reasons for doing so, including higher smoking rates, increased exposure to air pollution, poor indoor air quality due to moisture, health literacy, and access to GPS, stop smoking services and vaccination, especially where language and cultural barriers are impaired. These are all preventable.

“These figures clearly show that healthcare support is not meeting the people who need it most. This requires urgent action, not only to healthcare visits and provisions targeting vulnerable communities, but also to public health interventions targeting social determinants of housing, heating and health.”

"The NHS is working to measure and improve the outcomes of people with asthma and COPD in our poorest communities, as part of a broader effort to address health inequality across the country," an NHS spokesman said.