Shaping the Future of COPD Care: From Minimum to Optimal
A Call to Action to Stop Ignoring a Silent Disease Impacting Millions
Imagine struggling to catch your breath, feeling progressively worse, and being limited in daily activities—all while needing constant medical care. On top of that, you often have to explain why you’ve slowed down and why you need more care than just medication. Access to better treatment is not just important—it’s essential.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a silent killer affecting millions across Europe, yet it is frequently overlooked and misunderstood. COPD is more than just a smoker’s disease; it is a preventable, severe chronic lung condition that affects people of all ages, robbing them of their ability to breathe and live fully. Its profound impact on both individuals and society cannot be ignored.
The Urgent Need for Action
COPD remains the third leading cause of death globally, but it continues to be under-recognised in public health strategies. In 2013, EFA published the “Minimum Standards of Care for COPD Patients in Europe” report, which set a benchmark for COPD care across Europe. Now, ten years later, EFA’s 2023 COPD Standards of Care Project seeks to evaluate the progress made since then and address the current gaps in care.
Our 2024 report provides a thorough analysis of the evolution of care standards since 2013, identifying successes, ongoing gaps, best national practices, and key policy recommendations. This project is a crucial step towards transforming the future of COPD care, moving from minimum standards to optimal care.
In this project, EFA will work with our community of members to assess the impact of COPD care across Europe and foster progress with new benchmarks and policy recommendations. By prioritising prevention and improving care, from early diagnosis to advanced and innovative treatments, we are paving the way for a future where COPD is comprehensively addressed, and optimal care becomes the standard.
A Call to Action
EFA and the ELHG have already set in motion the #KeepBreathing campaign, a plan to improve lung health across three areas – prevention, care and research for a healthier, stronger and more resilient society in Europe. This is precisely what COPD urgently needs.
The EFA COPD Standards of Care report will be a call to action. Through powerful patient stories and evidence-based findings, we aim to change the narrative around COPD, dismantle misconceptions, and reduce stigma. The preventability of COPD underscores that failing to address it is a deliberate choice—one that demands accountability.
Proactive measures can significantly change the course of this disease, preventing its progression and reducing its devastating impact on lives, healthcare systems, and communities. We envision a world where better care and prevention not only improve lives but also lead to healthier communities and lower healthcare costs.
The Stakes Are High, and the Time to Act is Now
The insights gathered in this report are just the beginning. We must move beyond minimum standards to achieve optimal care, reducing the burden on patients, healthcare systems, and society. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now. Join us in shaping the future of COPD care and ensuring that this silent disease receives the attention it deserves.
EFA thanks our Sustainable Corporate Funding Partners Roche and Sanofi/Regeneron for their unrestricted educational grants that make this project possible.