13 June, 2024
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced the appointment of a WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases. The European Respiratory Society (ERS) welcomes this development, which acknowledges the enormous impact that respiratory disease has globally, and the need to prioritise related developments.
Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), affect nearly half a billion people worldwide. However, chronic respiratory diseases and respiratory healthcare in general have been often overlooked, lacking the necessary recognition and resources. In light of this, the WHO has appointed Mr José Luis Castro as WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases. Mr Castro is well equipped for this role given his experience as founder and CEO of Vital Strategies, an organisation with the primary focus of lung health.
Mr Castro said: “I am eager to work alongside WHO and its partners to elevate the importance of respiratory health on the global agenda. Together, we will strive to ensure that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to breathe freely and live a healthy life.”
The aims of this newly created role organically align with ERS’s own advocacy work in the field of chronic respiratory diseases. The WHO will focus on integrating the diagnosis and management of asthma and COPD into primary healthcare, while highlighting tobacco smoke, air pollution, and infectious diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia, as risks to lung health.
Barbara Hoffmann, ERS Advocacy Council Chair, said: “We welcome the appointment of Mr Castro as the WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases and his enthusiasm for his new position. The appointment of this role demonstrates the WHO’s recognition of the widespread effects of chronic respiratory diseases across the globe, and the WHO’s dedication to help shape positive policies for respiratory healthcare. We hope that this bold move will send a clear message to governments and decision makers, on international and national levels, that respiratory health is a public health priority. We look forward to seeing the effects of enhanced public engagement and advocacy.”