Allergy and asthma are among the most prevalent chronic diseases in Europe, but also among the most complex. Not only is there no cure yet for them, but researchers and doctors have not fully grasped so far the underlying mechanisms provoking these diseases. Moreover, their symptoms are very wide, and impacted by the environment we live in.
The #CallAllergyAsthma campaign served to gather cross-sector support to drive action at EU level, with the aim to improve prevention, care and research on allergy and asthma. The EU can adopt effective policies to reduce the burden that these chronic diseases pose to patients, their families and society. Policies to support public health - public health services, prevention, research, personalised medicine, and treatments -, as well as the health-in-all policies approach that protects health within our buildings and houses, promotes safety at work, agriculture, nutrition and chemical sectors.
In 2018, EFA together with EAACI will continue facilitating the work of the Interest Group on Allergy and Asthma. Activities will focus on the research needed to reduce the burden that allergy and asthma poses to patients and society, coinciding with the negotiations on the future EU Research programme. We will also mobilise running candidates ahead of the European Parliament elections in 2019 to support EFA asks in prevention, diagnosis, care, research and participation.