Overview
Over the past decade, growing evidence has transformed our understanding of chronic respiratory diseases, highlighting the need for prevention and early intervention across the life course. This ERS research seminar aims to bring together international experts to evaluate current evidence, identify research priorities, and develop strategies to prevent and modify the progression of chronic airway diseases.
Traditionally viewed as a self-inflicted condition linked to smoking, COPD is now recognised as a heterogeneous disease shaped by multiple environmental, lifestyle, developmental, and genetic factors, many of which begin affecting lung health early in life. Impaired lung development, early-life exposures, and misdiagnosed childhood asthma contribute to adult respiratory morbidity, underscoring the need for improved biomarkers and early detection.
This seminar gathers leading researchers and clinicians from paediatrics, pulmonology, epidemiology, and environmental health to discuss scientific, societal, and policy perspectives. By raising awareness that lung health starts early in life, the event aims to promote preventive action, reduce stigma, and advance global strategies for early diagnosis and intervention in airway diseases.
Objectives
The seminar aims to bring together leading international experts from diverse disciplines to discuss how to advance global strategies for the prevention, early detection, and early intervention of chronic airway diseases and their associated comorbidities. On this broad framework, specific aims are to:
- Review current evidence on the early-life origins of airway diseases and their links with multimorbidity — including the connection between childhood asthma and adult COPD.
- Identify opportunities for early detection and intervention to alter disease progression.
- Evaluate the potential impact of preventive measures and early-life interventions on long-term lung health.
- Examine the ongoing under-recognition of lung health and discuss how to increase awareness, improve screening, and reduce stigma.
Outcomes
- Publication of a perspective paper outlining the priorities and unmet needs in airway disease prevention and intervention.
- New collaborative research initiatives, including proposals for early-life intervention studies and future ERS activities aligned with these goals.
The seminar will take place at the following location in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Weena 10,
Rotterdam, 3012 CM,
Netherlands
Tel: +31 10 710 8000
As part of this event, we invite participants to submit their research for presentation in abstract sessions.
If you wish to contribute, you may upload your abstract via the following link by the registration deadline (1 July 2026): https://ers.app.box.com/f/bf358cfdc5d64b2c9847d58cff93a1e6
The maximum length of an abstract is 1810 characters, including characters and spaces in the following: abstract title, abstract body, table, and figures. Kindly refer to this article from Breathe that might help you prepare your abstract.
Submitting an abstract is strongly encouraged, as it will be considered as part of the selection process for participation. Please note, however, that submission does not guarantee selection. Authors will be notified of the outcome in August 2026.
Participation in ERS Research Seminars is subject to selection by the seminar organisers. Notification of selection will be sent by August 2026. Attendance is free of charge; however, participants are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Applying for someone else? Contact registration@ersnet.org