EFA sent a delegation of five people to the 2022 European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress, hosted in Barcelona, Spain from 4-6 September. The delegation actively followed and participated in a comprehensive programme on respiratory disease prevention, treatment, and care while reserving time to connect in person with members, academia and partners.
Strong presence of patient representatives at Congress
EFA members had a strong showing across the event including a scientific poster presentation by Liliya Gentet of the French Federation of Friends of Respiratory or Disabled Patients’ Associations (FFAAIR). Other members in attendance included the Austrian Lung Union (LungenUnion), Asthma + Lung UK, Longfonds, NL, the Spanish Federation of Respiratory Diseases’ Associations (FENAER), and the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association (Astma- och Allergiförbundet).
EFA also organised side meetings with member associations of the European Lung Health Group (ELHG), such as the European Pulmonary Fibrosis Federation (EU-PFF) and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Europe (PHA-E), to discuss about shared EU policy work for the Breathe Vision 2030, and prepare the priorities for the upcoming meetings of the group.
At European level, it was a delight to attend several meetings, connect with partners and a special dinner organised in the framework of the European Lung Foundation (ELF) Patients Advisory Council (PAC).
We also had the opportunity to connect with the Global Asthma and Airways Diseases Patients’ Platform (GAAPP) of which we are founding members.
COPD as a rising lung health priority
Although the programme shed light on many exciting topics, it was hard to miss the emphasis on COPD as a rising lung health priority. Of note, the final day of the congress featured the session ‘Towards the elimination of COPD’ which explored innovative views from the Lancet Commission on COPD.
The Lancet Commission programme brings together Lancet editors and “academic partners to identify the most pressing issues in science, medicine, and global health, with the aim of providing recommendations that change health policy or improve practice” (Lancet 2022). It signals to the research community, patients and policymakers alike, several priorities to address and thereby encourages renewed funding, research and innovation.
The Lancet Commission on COPD argues for a fundamental shift in the way we think about and address COPD by identifying five different types according to major risk factors. This shift not only challenges the perception of the disease as self-inflicted, but it also brings into focus environmental determinants of the disease such as air pollution.
Alongside this long-term transformation were sessions aimed at addressing more acute issues related to the treatment and care of the disease. EFA attended one particularly interesting session on ‘forgotten issues in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a primary care perspective.’ It explored approaches for the assessment and treatment of common comorbid mental disorders, raised awareness of the need for rehabilitation programmes that are currently very scarce and inaccessible, and discussed the effect of COPD on sexual satisfaction. Overall, it urged for a more integrated and holistic approach to palliative care for COPD patients.
Launch of new respiratory disease data for Europe
During Congress, EFA also attended the much-awaited launch of Lung Facts, a reference tool for the respiratory community. The resource which is hosted online in the framework of the International Respiratory Coalition (IRC) presents in an easy manner prevalence numbers and cost data on major respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD.
Lung Facts replaces the detailed ERS White Lung Book that dates from 2013. The objective is to have more updated and accurate numbers of respiratory diseases in the WHO European region.
Check your data now to know the status of asthma and COPD in your country.
Thanks to our longstanding partner ERS!
As usual, the ERS Congress was very informative and an excellent opportunity to connect with members and partners while building new partnerships.
EFA would like to extend a congratulations to ERS on a job well done and looks forward to the 2023 congress!