Brussels, 6 May 2025 – The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) marks World Asthma Day with a patient community-led campaign across Europe sharing one clear message: improve asthma care in Europe.
Patients across Europe speak up
Asthma affects around 6.6% of adults in Europe (30 million people), with prevalence varying widely from 6.8% in Spain to 17.6% in the United Kingdom[1]. Despite being a treatable condition, many people across Europe remain undiagnosed or inadequately supported, leading to preventable complications and reduced quality of life.
National member associations of the EFA Community are calling for earlier diagnosis, better access to treatment, and stronger education and support for people living with asthma. Among many others, in Denmark, patients are asking for structured follow-up. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the focus is on consistent access to medication. In the Netherlands, grassroots asthma patient groups are raising awareness of the condition’s impact, while in, the emphasis is on patient education and self-management.
“Asthma is often under-diagnosed and under-treated” said Marcia Podestà, EFA President. “On World Asthma Day, the EFA Community across Europe is raising awareness about patient priorities and is also working to equip people with science based information on how to take control of their asthma and request for better care in their countries.”
New patient education resources #AboutAsthma
To support these European calls for action, EFA has launched a new resource section to AboutAsthma.org, its patient educational website on asthma prevention, diagnosis, care and quality of life.
The new resource section features asthma materials developed the EFA Community of members, available in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian Polish, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish. EFA members unite and care for patients on the ground and they develop their health literacy and asthma knowledge through dedicated apps, brochures, videos, care plans, and websites that reflect national realities and needs, offering practical support to patients and carers.
On this World Asthma Day, EFA calls on healthcare systems to fully equip healthcare professionals to perform timely and accurate diagnosis as well as to provide with proper and recurrent inhaler education. Policymakers should address the existing gaps in access and quality of care for asthma.
Patients and caregivers are invited to explore the resources on AboutAsthma.org and connect with their national organisations to take part in advocacy efforts.
Media Contact: William Natta | Communications Manager |
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About EFA
The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) is the voice of the 200 million people living with allergy, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Europe. We bring together 48 national associations from 28 countries and channel their knowledge and demands to the European institutions. We connect European stakeholders to ignite change and bridge the policy gaps on allergy and airways diseases so that patients live uncompromised lives, have the right and access to the best quality care and a safe environment. Learn more at efanet.org.
About aboutasthma.org
AboutAsthma.org is a comprehensive online guide, packed with evidence-based information, patient education materials and treatment guidelines to effectively manage asthma and enhance quality of life and well-being. It is a vital resource born out of EFA’s commitment to delivering timely, accessible, and patient-centered care and innovation for allergy, asthma and COPD patients across Europe.
We thank the members of EFA’s Asthma and Allergy Working Group for their invaluable insights that helped shape this asthma education website. Special recognition goes to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) for their expert advice and to the Global Allergy and Airways Patients Platform (GAAPP) for their unwavering support in promoting the website.
The AboutAsthma.org website has been developed in the framework of the EFA’s 2023 GUIDE Asthma Project. EFA is thankful to its sustainable corporate partners Astra Zeneca, Chiesi and OM Pharma for their unrestricted education grants that made this project possible. The website’s updates and new sections are part of the EFA 2024 About Asthma Project. EFA is thankful to its sustainable corporate partners AstraZeneca and Sanofi/Regeneron Alliance for their unrestricted grants that made these updates possible.