The ERS welcomes the decision of European Council of Ministers taken on the 2 December to adopt Council conclusions on chronic respiratory diseases in children. This is a major political step and ERS will be working hard to see these Council conclusions implemented across Europe.

Chronic respiratory diseases are recognised to be the most common non-communicable diseases in children, and they have been on the rise in recent decades. That is why following on from the ERS conference with the Belgian Presidency of the EU and the production of the European Respiratory Roadmap the Polish Presidency has made respiratory disease prevention, early diagnosis and treatment a priority for public health.

In its conclusions, the Council invites member states to tackle the problems which constitute the biggest risk factors that could trigger a chronic respiratory disease: tobacco smoke, poor indoor air quality and outdoor air pollution.

Prevention should begin before childbirth, and stop-smoking programmes for pregnant women should, for instance, be intensified. In addition, future mothers and children should be protected against exposure to tobacco smoke, in particular at home and in closed spaces.

The Council conclusions state furthermore that knowledge and public awareness play a key role in the prevention and treatment of these diseases and should be increased. Health education of children, parents and teachers is recognised as important in this regard, as well as training of health professionals.

Cooperation and exchange of best practices are also emphasised, and the European Commission is invited to support member states in implementing their policies and improving networking, in particular international research networks. ERS aims to be at the forefront of improving the networking and exchange of best practice in this area.

Council conclusions on prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of chronic respiratory diseases in children