The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) celebrates the adoption of the World Health Organization’s landmark resolution on lung health at the 78th World Health Assembly.
This historic resolution marks a milestone in the fight against respiratory diseases, placing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients at the forefront of global health priorities.
In Europe alone, over 36 million people live with asthma or COPD, conditions that often remain underdiagnosed and poorly managed, with patients facing significant barriers to timely diagnosis, treatment and equitable care.
EFA, together with partners in the European Lung Health Group (ELHG), played an active role in advocating for this resolution. We joined forces in an open letter to the EU Permanent Delegation to the WHO, calling on EU Member States to unite and support this essential step forward.
The new resolution calls for coordinated, integrated national action to strengthen prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and care, with a strong emphasis on meaningful patient involvement. It covers a broad spectrum of lung conditions, including asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, lung cancer and COVID-19, while addressing common risk factors such as air pollution and tobacco use.
Looking ahead, EFA is committed to working with European policymakers to ensure that the ambitions of this resolution translate into concrete actions that improve the lives of asthma and COPD patients across Europe.
Read the European Lung Health Group press release
Learn more about the European Lung Health Group