Epidemiology of Respiratory Diseases in Indonesia: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Respiratory diseases remain a major public health problem worldwide and in Indonesia. They encompass a wide spectrum of acute and chronic conditions, including acute respiratory infections (ARI), pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Globally, respiratory diseases contribute to hundreds of millions of new cases and millions of deaths every year, with lower respiratory tract infections and COPD among the leading causes of mortality. In Indonesia, ARI consistently ranks among the most frequent diagnoses in primary health care, while the country is still listed as one of the highest TB-burden countries. Urban air pollution, household air pollution, high smoking prevalence, and crowded living conditions further aggravate the burden of respiratory morbidity and mortality. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the definition and classification of respiratory diseases, their distribution and burden in Indonesia, key epidemiological determinants (person, place, and time), and major risk factors specific to the Indonesian context. The health, social, and economic impacts are discussed, as well as existing prevention and control strategies, including national TB control, childhood pneumonia programs, and smoke-free policies. A better understanding of these epidemiological aspects is essential to guide more targeted public health policies and integrated interventions to reduce the burden of respiratory diseases in Indonesia.