Press releases

European and International Health Organisations unite to call for European action to combat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

BRUSSELS, 14 July 2010 - COPD affects 44 million people in Europe and is the 4^th leading cause of death worldwide. The WHO predicts it will become the 3^rd by 2030. The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) launched a Call to Action on 30^th of June at the European Parliament.

EFA, the European Respiratory Society (ERS), the European Lung Foundation (ELF), the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), the International COPD Coalition (ICC) and the International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) urge the EU to make COPD a political priority, to raise awareness of this disease among the public and healthcare professionals, to encourage its early diagnosis, to improve the care and prevention of COPD, improve air quality, and to support research. Press release

NGOs urge Commission to come forward with a second EU Environment and Health Action Plan

BRUSSELS, 1 July 2010 - The "Environment and Health and EU policy" session of the European Commission’s Open Health Forum meeting in Brussels 29^th of June, co-organised by EFA and the Health and Environment Alliance, gave strong recommndation to the European Commission that European Union's role in protecting health through environmental policy could be enhanced by a visionary second European Union Environment and Health Action Plan (EHAP). Press release - Event information - Workshop Recommendations - European Commission DG Health video on health in all policies featuring EFA

EFA launches the first European Call to Action on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease at the European Parliament

BRUSSELS, 30 June 2010 - EFA has united EU officials, patients, NGOs and the medical community to address this major chronic disease and present the EFA book on COPD with a detailed Call to Action for Europe. Today, EFA is organising an event at the European Parliament to gather support on the need to adopt a common approach at EU level on COPD. COPD is a disabling disease, which causesgradual restriction of airflow and consequent difficulty in breathing, can greatly impact patients’ social lives and ability to work. With the adoption of this Call to Action, EFA aims to ensure that each European citizen has the best chance of being informed about COPD, an opportunity to prevent the disease and for those living with COPD the best chance of an early diagnosis and effective treatment.

The event is being chaired by MEP Catherine Stihler, who has been a leading advocate within the European Parliament on COPD since 2007, when she launched a Written Declaration on combating COPD, signed by 226 MEPs.  “Hopefully the event will raise awareness of COPD and the cost to our health, families and health services, and we can begin to combat COPD” she said. Press release - Media Kit - Programme - Foreword by European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek - Call to Action - EFA Book on COPD in Europe - Presentations: Written foreword by J. Buzek - J. Gilder EFA Book on COPD in Europe - N. Siafakas COPD and the European Respiratory Society - M. Salapatas Call to Action on COPD for Europe

Will Europe Suffocate or Breathe? EFA to Unite Partners to Launch the First European Call to Action on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BRUSSELS,16 June 2010 - On June 30th following the European Open Health Forum, EFA will hold an important event hosted by MEP Catherine Stihler, at the European Parliament in Brussels to mark the launch of a new European Call to Action on COPD. COPD affects approximately 44 million in Europe, and is the fourth leading cause of mortality.

The “EFA Book on COPD in Europe. Sharing and Caring” shed light on this “underdiagnosed, undertreated and neglected disease”. According to the WHO, if COPD is not tackled appropriately it stands to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. Despite these alarming facts, no common EU strategy has ever been adopted on respiratory diseases. EFA now aims to address this gap by uniting medical, political and patient communities to adopt a coordinated and comprehensive EU-wide strategy on COPD. Press release & Media Kit

Time for live-saving decisions at the European Parliament on food labelling: MEPs have a unique chance to improve daily life of people with food allergies

BRUSSELS, 14 June 2010 - EFA together with the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) highlight the importance of the plenary vote at the European Parliament on the food labelling regulation on 16th of June. MEPs have a unique opportunity to improve the life of people with food allergy in several ways, through making information on non prepacked food mandatory, and through adopting an amendment which proposes to establish European guidelines on allergen management. This could solve the issue of unregulated misleading precautionary labelling.

“More than a question of nutritional information, food information is a question of preserving health. Every European citizen has the right to know if a food product can endanger his/her life in one way or another. This regulation is for all consumers; therefore it should also take into account the urgent needs of people with food allergies.” declared Marianella Salapatas, EFA President. Press release.

Governments are chickening out of protecting the health of citizens by weakening the EU's Industrial Emissions Directive

BRUSSELS, 10 June- The European Respiratory Society (ERS) together with the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) slam the non-action of the Council of Minster’s on the Industrial emissions Directive. "Governments should not chicken out of their responsibility by seeking unnecessary derogations that fly in the face of the EU’s air quality targets. Citizen’s respiratory health can be improved through strong regulation of emissions and reduced levels of pollution; however the current position of the Council would have the opposite effect “according to Brian Ward of ERS.

The ERS and EFA calls for EU legislation that puts an end to the unjustified differences in permit practices in the various EU countries, and states that the possibilities to derogate from strict application of BAT should be completely restricted. Press release

Today is World Asthma Day: All severe asthma is not the same!

BRUSSELS, 4 May 2010 - One person still dies of severe asthma every six hours in Europe. In order to inform patients, the public and healthcare professionals on severe asthma and research progress, the U-BIOPRED consortium is launching its website today! EFA is a proud partner of the U-BIOPRED.

Too few therapies are successfully developed for severe asthma and the U-BIOPRED project aims at fostering the development of targeted therapies, by proving that no one is average. At the end the hope is to have a new definition of severe asthma, and a new way of working together on improving the lives of people with asthma, acknowledging that asthma is not a single disease, but vary from one patient to another. Press release – U-BIOPRED website

EFA highlights the urgent need for change and a comprehensive European strategy to fight chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BRUSSELS, 18 November 2009 , World COPD Day - EFA launched today the 'EFA Book on COPD in Europe - Sharing and Caring for the first time from patient perspective comparing the care of people with COPD from patient perspective in 12 countries. The book sheds light on an “underdiagnosed, undertreated and neglected disease”. Mrs Catherine Stihler, MEP said “I highly commend the work of EFA. It is vital that people across Europe and the world are made aware of COPD. At least 44 million people across Europe are suffering from the disease, and the figure is set to rise each year”

“COPD is sometimes considered as part of the discussions on various related EU policy initiatives including outdoor and indoor air pollution, climate change, product regulations, and tobacco control. However, no dedicated EU strategy has been adopted on respiratory diseases yet and the topic needs to be tackled directly,” urged Marianella Salapatas, EFA President. “We are calling on the EU Commission to establish a EU framework for sharing best practices on COPD management by the end of 2010”. Press release and Media kit and EFA Book on COPD in Europe - Sharing and Caring

Delayed detection and treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Causes Avoidable Suffering and Elevates Health Care Costs

BRUSSELS, 6 November 2010 - EFA announced today the finalisation of a book for the first time analysing the ‘state’ of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Europe from patient perspective. COPD, although ranked the 4th cause of death in the EU, remains largely unknown. Recognising the urgent need to bring COPD out of the shadows, EFA collected information from patients associations from 12 European countries. The book will be launched on November 17th,  the eve of World COPD Day 2009.

The book sheds light on the inequalities in the understanding, prevention and management of COPD in the various European countries and showcases the striking impact of COPD across Europe. COPD has been neglected by healthcare services, with no diagnosis or misdiagnosis being the unfortunate common themes. Patients and health services are already paying the price. Press Release & Media Kit

WHO and EFA Call for Global Action on Chronic Respiratory Disease - Call to reduce the four million deaths annually, from a condition responsible for more fatalities globally than AIDS

ROME, 11 June 2009 - The World Health Organisation (WHO) and European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases (EFA) today announced that they are bringing together over 150 international delegates to discuss the growing epidemic of Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRD) that affects one billion people worldwide.

The conference will look into the role of patient organisations and the implementation of the GARD Action Plan 2008-2013 within the framework of the WHO’s Action Plan for the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases 2008-2013. The action plan shows that there is a clear need for collaboration between health policy makers, providers and patient organisations to improve care and the environment and the integration of health concerns into all policies.
Press release - Backrounder on chronic respiratory diseases - Backgrounder on EFA & GARD

KNOW YOUR AIR FOR HEALTH - EU air pollution forecasting offered to those with breathing problems

BRUSSELS, 19 November 2008, World COPD Day (WCD) - EFA and Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) launched today a website www.knowyourairforhealth.eu tailored to the needs of people with COPD and other respiratory diseases to check national and local air quality and to learn the steps they can take to minimise any adverse effects. The website also provides information about the current action of the European Union to improve air quality.
EFA and its national members, who are partners in the project, are also writing to health and environment ministers in all EU countries about the entry into force of the new ambient air quality directive (2008/50/EC), highlighting how patients’ groups could significantly contribute to the implementation of this regulation.
Press release - Photo 1 and Photo 2 and caption: When can I breathe more easily? Visit the EU air pollution forecasting website for real time monitoring to protect your health at www.KNOWYOURAIRFORHEALTH.eu - Letter to EU environment & health ministers

Two thirds of people with asthma do not lead a full life because of their condition revealed a survey published by family physicians organisations

BRUSSELS, 6 May 2008, World Asthma Day (WAD) - Two in three people with asthma still feel that their condition is in some way preventing them achieving what they want from life and they want to know more. 'I am delighted that patients want to know more, prevent and take control of their asthma - we should all - patient organisations, health care professionals, policy makers and others support this and spring into action on asthma together with the 30 million people with asthma in Europe' said Marianella Salapatas, EFA Acting President.
Media alert including Top tips for patients, healthcare professionals and policy makers and links to full survey findings.
Summary of EFA members WAD activities.

COPD - Its hard to speak up when you are struggling to breathe. Health experst seek legislation to help Europeans to breathe more easily

STRASBOURG, 14 November 2007, World COPD Day, European Parliament EFA-ERS-ELF Press Conference - MEP Catherine Stihler launched a written declaration on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to help Europe combat the disease. The declaration calls the EU and the Member states to shape up, and work on prevention, equal access to early diagnosis and correct treatment, develop smoking cessation strategies, fund research into the causes, prevalence and treatments for COPD and implement comprehensive smoke free and clean indoor air policies, including publishing EU Green Paper on indoor air quality.
EFA Vice President Marianella Salapatas welcomed the Declaration, invited MEPs to sign it and hopes it will lead to more comprehensive programmes on COPD.

Media pack: Press Release - Communiqué de Presse - Backgrounder - Document d'Information - Leaflet on COPD for MEPs -Text of the Written Declaration on COPD, declaration nr 102 - European Parliament website: declarations - Presentation by M Salapatas EFA at the Launch and by B Mc Nee ERS.

Largest survey ever on severe asthma highlights true impact and need for improved care across Europe

BRUSSELS, 5 March 2007, Bibliotheque Solvay, EFA Press Conference - A ground-breaking survey revealing the potentially catastrophic impact of severe asthma on the lives of people across Europe has been published in the latest issue of leading scientific journal, Allergy. According to the report, commissioned by The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA), 90% of the 6 million people in Europe with severe asthma are not receiving optimum care, leading 1.5 million of them to live in “constant fear” that their next attack could be fatal

Media pack: Press Release - Press Release in Dutch - Survey Fact Sheet - Severe Asthma Backgrounder - Statement of the Editor of Allergy - Support President of the European Parliament - Recent Respiratory Milestones in Europe - Patient Associations Backgrounder
Press Briefing Agenda - Speaker biographies: D Covey, A Crantz, M Partridge, M Salapatas, E Valovirta

The EU prioritises research on allergic and respiratory diseases

BRUSSELS, 30 November 2006 - EFA and International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) welcome the European Parliament’s Plenary vote on the 7th Framework Programme on Research (FP7), which makes allergic and respiratory diseases an EU research priority for the next seven years.The vote took place in line with the Council’s position, so the Programme will come into force 1st January 2007.
Joint press release EFA-IPCRG

COPD Declaration launched at the European Parliament

BRUSSELS, 15 November 2006 - European COPD patients and pneumologists mark World COPD Day 15 November 2006 and welcome the launch of a written declaration in the European Parliament calling upon the EU to pay more attention to this under-recognised and under-funded disease.
Joint press release EFA-ERS-ELF

Will Europe miss a chance for a clean and healthy air?

BRUSSELS, 23 October 2006 - European Health and Environment Ministers have one of their biggest opportunities ever to affect the future health and well being of European citizens. They will be meeting in Luxembourg to formulate a “Common Position” on European Union Health Air Quality Standards. Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) and EFA are united in their conviction of the supreme importance of this legislation for future health. Joint press release HEAL-EPHA-EFA

An Unacceptable Cost: Chronic Respiratory Diseases: WHO launches global alliance to fight chronic respiratory diseases

BEIJING, 28 March 2006 – Today, members of the World Health Organization (WHO) met in China for the official launch of the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD).  GARD seeks to build awareness of chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), promote prevention against risk factors as well as improve the quality and affordability of care to patients with chronic respiratory diseases in all countries, with a particular emphasis on developing countries...
Full release - Backgrounder

World COPD Day 2005 - 16 November 2005

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a devastating and irreversible lung disease, which affects 44 million in Europe and causes around 2.75 million deaths globally every year. COPD weighs heavily on the pockets of European governments, costing nearly 51 billion euros per year. It is the sixth most common cause of death in Europe, due to become the third most common by 2020, and yet public awareness of COPD is extremely low. Frighteningly, as many as 75% of Europeans who suffer from COPD are undiagnosedand therefore their symptoms go untreated!
Full press release - World COPD Day 2005

European asthma patients living in isolation and fear of fatal attack

European Respiratory Society Congress, Copenhagen, Monday, 19 September, 2005 – The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) launches a new report into severe asthma today. It alarmingly reveals that millions of Europeans suffer from uncontrolled asthma symptoms which are so serious that they not only significantly impact on their quality of life, but also cause fear, isolation and social exclusion.
Media Alert - Press Release - Backgrounder - Fact Sheet - Full Report - Executive Summary
Link to website of Liz Lynne MEP and presentation of report by EFA.
Presentations: 'The challenge and impact of severe asthma across Europe' - E. Valovirta
'Fighting for Breath' - M. Dockrell and 'Looking to the Future' - D.Covey

Allergic Rhinitis Patients Speak Out - New Survey Reports on Impact of this Year-Round Disease which can Affect Every Aspect of a Patient’s Life

World Allergy Congress, Munich; 28 June 2005, Conducted by the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) in 11 countries, the Patient Voice Allergy Survey of 3,562 patients reveals the extent to which allergic rhinitis can disrupt people’s activities of daily living.
Press release Allergy Summary Report Picture of the Expert Panel

“Fighting for Breath” - A European patient perspective on severe asthma

World Asthma Day, 3rd May 2005 - New research reported by EFA (the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations) shows that at least 1.5 million Europeans with severe asthma are living in constant fear that suffocating attacks will kill them.
Press release Survey Fact-sheet Asthma Backgrounder

The Burden of Asthma in Europe

World Asthma Day, 14 May 2004 - On World Asthma Day 4 May 2004 GINA Global Initiative for Asthma published their Global Burden of Asthma report. The report is based on standardized data collected in epidemiology studies in more than 80 countries.
Burden of Asthma in Europe Fact Sheet

New European Asthma figures released in Global Report - Failure in Asthma Management reported by Asthma Experts

17th February 2004 - Over 30 million people in Europe now have asthma, a number greater than the population of the Netherlands and Belgium combined, according to data released today by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA).  The data also highlighted that while mortality from asthma has fallen in Europe, asthma care is failing patients more than previously recognised, and prevalence of asthma in children is also a focus for concern.
Press release

Don't Ignore COPD

17th November 2003 - PatientHealth care groups in Europearound the world are uniting today, World COPD Day, to extend public awareness of and call for action on of the debilitating and deadly illness, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide, yet 75% of those affected remain undiagnosed.
Press release Poster

 

EFA calls for Awareness and Action on COPD in Europe

19th November 2003 - EFA launches website dedicated to COPD patients and carers.
Press release

Food Allergy Patients in Europe want to know what they eat

17th May 2003 - Food Labelling. An estimated 4 % of the adults and 8 % of the children in EU suffer from food allergy. EFA the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations would like to remind, that labelling of food ingredients is the most direct way to inform the consumer on ingredients in food. Press release

EFA Supports World COPD Day

19th November 2003 - EFA Supports World COPD Day Poster