Session 13

Breathing together for change

A vision for lung health policies across the life-course

Organised by the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations on behalf of the European Lung Health Group

Our lungs are fundamental to life. However, respiratory diseases remain Europe’s Achilles heel. They affect over 82 million people, place a €1.4 trillion strain on healthcare systems and society, and rank as the sixth leading cause of death on the continent. A new WHO Europe report highlights the health inequalities in lung health and diseases, as well as barriers to care - from delayed diagnosis to lack of support in self-management in diseases like asthma and COPD.

This patient-led session will discuss policy priorities for improving lung health with a life-course approach, to sustain the well-being of Europeans and support resilient societies. Topics will include the impact of preventive public health policies (e.g on tobacco and vaping in youth), a multidisciplinary approach in care and diagnosis, health literacy, and early respiratory prevention on lung health in children and adults.

The session is complemented by two days of free lung function testing by Lungenunion.

Speakers to be announced