Respiratory disease imposes a global burden affecting hundreds of millions of people.

More than 380 million people worldwide suffer from chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4 million deaths in 2005 were caused by chronic respiratory diseases, and these numbers are set to increase by an estimated 30% over the coming decade.

Currently, pneumonia and COPD are two of the four leading causes of death worldwide, together with HIV/AIDS and cardiovascular disease. Among those with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis accounts for a quarter of a million deaths each year.

Furthermore, a recent WHO survey reported that nearly a quarter of all deaths and of the total disease burden across the world can be attributed to environmental risk factors. Again, respiratory diseases such as COPD and lower respiratory infections were among the principal causes of death. Despite the fact that smoking is known to be the primary risk factor for many pulmonary diseases, statistics show that the tobacco epidemic is growing in the developing world and remains high in the West.

Given the intractable nature of the established diseases and emerging threats, such as the rise in allergies and a potential global avian influenza pandemic, the importance of respiratory medicine has never been greater.

The challenge for clinicians, researchers and others involved in respiratory medicine is to stay abreast of the latest developments in the field. Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine (ISSN 1747-6348) provides an authoritative and focused solution, delivering commentary and analysis for those involved in all areas of pulmonary medicine.

Coverage will include the following key areas:

• Prospects for new and emerging therapeutics
• Epidemiology of disease
• Preventive strategies
• All aspects of COPD, from patient self-management to systemic effects of the disease and comorbidities
• Improved diagnostic methods, including imaging techniques, biomarkers and physiological tests.
• Advances in the treatment of respiratory infections and drug resistance issues
• Occupational and environmental factors
• Progress in smoking intervention and cessation methods
• Disease and treatment issues for defined populations, such as children and the elderly
• Respiratory intensive and critical care
• Updates on the status and advances of specific disease areas, including asthma, HIV/AIDS-related disease, cystic fibrosis, COPD and sleep-disordered breathing morbidity

Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine provides evaluated and structured commentary from international leaders in the fields of obstructive, restrictive, vascular and infectious respiratory diseases. All reviews are subject to peer review and produced to industry leading standards and timelines to ensure a complete solution for professionals working in the field.