EAACI, EFA and the European Parliament Interest Group on allergy and asthma launch a political call to action in Europe
April 25th 2017, Brussels: Today, healthcare professionals, patients and policymakers joined forces to call for action at national and European levels on allergy and asthma.
The political Call to Action in Europe ‘United action for allergy and asthma’ was launched today as a multi-stakeholder partnership between the three co-initiators: the European Parliament Interest Group on Allergy and Asthma, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), and the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA). It marks the start of a pan-European advocacy campaign to drive action on allergy and asthma – the most prevalent chronic diseases in Europe.
Targeted at EU and national policymakers, the Call to Action presents policy recommendations to EU Member States, the European Commission, the European Parliament and patients/civil society stakeholders, with the overarching objective to unite all strategic parties in Europe to help bring about effective policy responses to allergy and asthma through a collaborative and holistic approach, supporting patients’ rights. In particular, it calls for:
- European strategies and programmes on allergy and asthma to be implemented in all Member States
- greater funding for research to advance the understanding of allergy and asthma
- better prevention and diagnosis to achieve early detection and allow timely and effective treatment
- actions to address underlying triggers, such as air quality, food allergens and chemicals, and to improve the analysis of the root causes of allergic diseases
- strengthened work to pioneer individualised treatment and progress personalised medicine.
Among other measures, the Call to Action invites the European Commission to encourage greater cooperation and coordination between Member States in the promotion of allergy and asthma programmes and to lend coordination support to collect public health indicators and better monitor trends on allergy and asthma. It also urges Member States to invest in allergy and asthma prevention and early detection, including awareness campaigns and training programmes for healthcare professionals
The ‘United action for allergy and asthma’ campaign was launched at a dedicated policy event of the European Parliament Interest Group, which took place from 6pm to 8pm in the European Parliament. Co-hosted by the Co-chair of the Interest Group, Sirpa Pietikäinen (Finland, EPP group), and group members Nathalie Griesbeck (France, ALDE group) and Karin Kadenbach (Austria, S&D group), the event was opportunity to discuss the benefits of prevention, good practice examples in addressing allergy and asthma, and measures to drive improvements in care.
The Call to Action is open until the end of September for endorsement by all interested parties wishing to join this move to support stronger and improved allergy and asthma policies. An online platform for endorsement is available at http://www.callallergyasthma.eu/ and the Coalition encourages you to take part in this initiative
Together, co-initiators and supporters stand united to create a healthier and happier future for the 220 million or more patients with allergy and asthma in Europe.
For additional information, please contact:
- EAACI EU Liaison Office | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | + 32 (0) 2 213 13 42
- EFA Office | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | +32 (0)2 227 2712
PDF version of the press release.