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EAACI and EFA Joint Statement: Written Declaration by the European Parliament on allergies Europe’s Leading Patient and Academic Groups urge the EU to Tackle Burden of Allergic Disease Proposed European Parliament Written Declaration calls for coordinated European action 23.10.2013 Brussels, Belgium - Allergic diseases affect over 150 million Europeans, of whom some are affected by severe, debilitating diseases, but these are neglected as a public health concern. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) now have an opportunity to call on the European Commission and EU Member States to take action by signing a Written Declaration on Recognising the Burden of Allergic Disease, which opened for signatures in October 21st and will remain open for 3 months. Professor Nikos Papadopoulos, the President of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), said: “EAACI welcomes this Parliament initiative. The adoption of this Written Declaration by MEPs would be an important signal that comprehensive action is needed to tackle the burden of allergies. Current public health policies overlook these diseases, causing great cost to society through hospital admissions and lost work days, but also to individuals by diminishing their quality of life and making many live with a constant fear of death.” Breda Flood, President of the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA), said: “EFA welcomes the news that the European Parliament is willing to recognise the burden of allergic disease. We urge MEPs to sign up and support the health of patients with allergy and respiratory diseases and prevention in Europe. The Written Declaration is perfectly in line with our Manifesto for the European Parliament elections and patients, especially children, need the MEPs support.” Allergies are commonly perceived as trivial, but they can lead to lost work days, poorer academic performance and restricted social interaction due the symptoms and the need to avoid certain allergens. In addition, allergies trigger 80% of all cases of asthma, which is the most common cause of emergency room visits by children. Food allergies can be life-threatening in the worst cases. The proposed Written Declaration, put forward by eleven MEPs from a cross-section of political groups, calls for the implementation of national programmes, better medical training and more scientific research to achieve a better management of the disease, in order to limit its evolution and cost to society. “The European Parliament can make a real difference to the lives of European citizens by drawing attention to and calling for action on an underestimated public health need. Cost-effective solutions do exist but we need the support of the European Parliament, to ensure that Member States will implement them” concluded Professor Papadopoulos. Download the Written Declaration with more information in PDF here For more information contact: Macarena Guillamón EAACI Headquarters Genferstrasse, 21 8002 Zurich - Switzerland Tel: + 41 44 205 55 32 Mobile: +41 79 892 82 25 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.eaaci.org Information on the Written Declaration: http://www.eaaci.org/activities/written-declaration-on-allergies.html Roberta Savli EFA 35, rue du Congrès B-1000, Brussels Tel: + 32 2 227 27 12 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.efanet.org Sign our Manifesto for the European Parliament elections: manifesto.efanet.org