The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Congress 2025 took place in Glasgow from June 13 to 16 under the thrilling theme “Breaking Boundaries in Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology: Integrating Planetary Health for a Sustainable Future.”
With more than 200 scientific sessions, the conference showcased the latest evidence and fostered collaboration among clinicians, researchers, industry leaders, and patient organisations from around the world. As patients living with allergy and airways diseases, we are aware of the environmental, climate and treatment-related factors that affect our symptoms and quality of life daily.
For four days, we learned and exchanged with scientists, researchers and healthcare professionals in allergology, putting patients more than ever at the center, and connecting their experiences with both local environments and broader planetary trends.
The Congress sessions spanned the full scope of the allergy and asthma field, from challenges in testing, diagnosis, and management to the latest advances in our understanding of allergic diseases and multidisciplinary approaches to address them.
From an EFA perspective, three aspects stood out during the Congress:
- First, the link between allergic diseases and the natural environment, reinforcing the urgency to address climate change and biodiversity loss.
- Second, the ongoing challenges in diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases, especially in children
- Third, the key role of patient organisations in ensuring that medical guidelines are actually implemented on the ground
The EAACI Patient Organisation Committee (POC), where EFA is an active member, convened to reflect on 2024 achievements and future priorities.
From left to right: Ángel Sánchez (AEPNAA), Sabine Schnadt (DAAB), Marcia Podestà (Food Allergy Italia), Susanna Palkonen (EFA), Panagiotis Chaslaridis (EFA) and Emma Cook (ATOPICCO Network for Children of the Earth)
EFA was proud to see members of our community contribute as official EAACI POC members, playing leading roles in the congress programme and demonstrating how patient expertise is driving progress:
Sabine Schnadt (DAAB, Germany) chaired a Patient Organisation Committee session on Precautionary Allergy Labelling (PAL). She steered the debate on improving allergen information on food products, highlighting patient concerns and presenting EFA’s advocacy at the Codex Alimentarius Commission for clearer labelling.
Pascale Couratier (AFPRAL, France) spoke on food allergy, drawing attention to the risks of hidden allergens in everyday products and calling for greater research efforts to protect patients.
Ángel Sánchez (AEPNAA, Spain) delivered a keynote presentation on planetary health and sustainability. He explored how climate change and biodiversity loss are increasingly linked to allergic diseases, and called for collective action, with patient organisations as drivers of change under the One Health approach.
From left to right: Sabine Schnadt (DAAB), Pascale Couratier (AFPRAL) and Ángel Sánchez (AEPNAA)
Tina Mesarič (Institute Atopika, Slovenia) presented in a session on atopic dermatitis, sharing survey results that revealed the emotional toll and daily challenges faced by patients. She urged healthcare providers to deliver personalised, multidisciplinary care that looks beyond the symptoms.
Cristina Jacomelli (Respiriamo Insieme, Italy) presented during a symposium on exercise and asthma management, sharing initiatives that connect asthma care with nature, sport, and community to support patient well-being.
Amena Warner (AllergyUK, United Kingdom) spoke in a session on communication with allergy patients in primary care, emphasising the vital role of patient organisations in ensuring information is clear and accessible.
From left to right: Tina Mesarič (Institute Atopika), Cristina Jacomelli (Respiriamo Insieme) and Amena Warner (AllergyUK)
Beyond the lecture halls, members of the #EFACommunity came together at a community dinner to network at every opportunity
EFA is looking forward to strengthening collaboration with EAACI and all partners to put patients at the center of allergy policy, research, care and prevention at the European level, and across the region. We were also glad to connect with our global partners from Global Allergy and Airways Platform (GAAPP), reinforcing our shared commitment to advancing patient-centred care worldwide.