Project description and objectives
COPD is one of the most common long-term respiratory conditions and the third leading cause of death worldwide. It is a progressive, life-altering condition with no cure, yet it can be prevented if only caught in time.
Unlike other major chronic diseases (e.g., heart diseases and diabetes) and cancer, COPD remains shockingly underrecognised by both the public and policymakers. A disease that steals the breath of 36 million Europeans and accounts for 6% of total healthcare spending in the European Union falls off the decision-makers’ radar.
EFA’s “COPD Beyond Care” project aims to improve the quality of life of people with COPD, as well as access to treatment, care, and adequate support.
Key activities
“Raising the bar for better standards of care for COPD in Europe” report
Ten years after the “Minimum Standards of Care” report published in 2013, EFA went back to analyse the current situation of COPD patients. The new report “Raising the bar for better standards of care for COPD in Europe” provides a comprehensive and synoptic view of the management of COPD in 19 different countries, identifying trends, gaps and best practices to improve the patients’ quality of life.
The report confirms the lack of improvements, with increasing cases in Europe and minimal progress in early diagnosis, care, and prevention registered so far. Beyond depicting the current situation for COPD patients, the report is also a call to action and provides key policy recommendations to raise the bar for COPD standards of care, including a focus on early detection, removing the stigma associated with seeking help, and establishing equitable, high-quality care for everyone affected.
Travel as a COPD Patient in Europe
Travelling with oxygen in Europe can be a real challenge, getting lost in a maze of bureaucratic, country-specific procedures involving a wide range of different stakeholders. This is why EFA joined forces with its COPD Community to make travel more accessible and safer for COPD patients who rely on oxygen therapy.
The activity aims at reducing the burden patients face when planning trips by providing clear guidance, practical resources and cross-country support through a dedicated network of National Contact Points (NCPs), represented by the EFA member organisations.
Acknowledgements
EFA sincerely thanks our Sustainable Corporate Partners for their support for this project:
2025: AstraZeneca, Roche, Sanofi Regeneron Alliance, Chiesi.
2024: AstraZeneca, Roche, Sanofi and Regeneron Alliance
2023: Roche, Sanofi and Regeneron Alliance