EFA

The global theme for the World Asthma Day (WAD) 2 May this year – Unmet Needs lead to poor asthma control – reminds us what we learned from patients with severe asthma last year in our European ‘Fighting for Breath’ survey; all too many patients with asthma still and mostly unnecessarily suffer from symptoms, even severe. To improve things for the future, our patients called for further research, access to expert care where I live and clean air to breathe indoors and out. EFA will mark the WAD at our annual conference 10 May in Prague with the theme From Science to Daily Practice. Two important policy files that we are focusing on at the moment are: The Framework Programme for Research (FP7) and The EU Thematic Strategy for Air Pollution and Directive on Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe. Both are in risk of failing to do just this! EFA therefore calls the European Council, Parliament as well as the Commission to take seriously the needs of patients and future patients and to support the inclusion of allergic and respiratory diseases as major diseases in the FP7 and to ensure meaningful and ambitious standards for particles and maintain - not to water down - already agreed air quality standards. Do not miss the opportunity to make a true difference in patients’ lives! We are delighted to receive and publish news from members regarding World Asthma Day (WAD) activities and look forward to seeing you in Prague. Best wishes, Svein-Erik Myrseth EFA President