On World Asthma Day (7 May, 2019), the European Respiratory Society joins founding members of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) in recognising this year’s theme: “STOP for asthma.” FIRS calls on global healthcare providers to STOP for asthma and evaluate symptoms, test response to therapy, observe and assess, and finally proceed to adjust treatment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 235 million people suffer from asthma, which can cause wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Although asthma cannot be cured, it is possible to control the disease to reduce and prevent asthma attacks, also called episodes.
Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children. It is not just a public health problem for high income countries: it occurs in all countries regardless of level of development. Over 80 percent of asthma deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. Asthma is under-diagnosed and under-treated, creating a substantial burden to individuals and families and possibly restricting individuals’ activities for a lifetime.
Asthma attacks cause adults to miss work and children to miss school. These dangerous and sometimes life-threatening episodes reduce the quality of life for people with asthma. The good news is that we can raise awareness about asthma and how it can be controlled. People with asthma can prevent asthma attacks by avoiding asthma triggers like tobacco smoke, mould, outdoor air pollution, and colds and flu. Asthma episodes can also be prevented by using inhaled corticosteroids and other prescribed daily long-term control medicines correctly.
Today is the 21st annual World Asthma Day, an event recognised each May to raise awareness of asthma worldwide. World Asthma Day was first held in 1998 and has grown each year to become one of the most important asthma events globally. On World Asthma Day, hundreds of awareness-raising activities will take place in countries all over the world.
ERS activities and resources for healthcare professionals
- Online learning materials
- ERS White Book: Adult asthma
- ERS White Book: Childhood asthma
- ERS Masterclass: Airways disease
The latest research, editorials and reviews:
To mark this awareness day, you can download the ebook of the ERS Monograph on Paediatric Asthma for free. To get this book, visit the Bookshop before 21 May, add it to your cart and complete the purchase process as normal. You will not be charged. And don’t forget to pre-order your print copy of the forthcoming ERS Monograph on Severe Asthma. Pre-order here.