From September 3-7, EFA Director of Operations and Projects travelled to Parma to speak at the International Congress of Aerobiology about the problems that respiratory allergy poses to Europeans. He explained how we are calling from EFA for research investment in respiratory allergies to discover the unknown causes of the development of the disease and to finally move towards personalised treatments. He also mentioned the pressing need to harmonise the education for allergologists and improvements in the coordination of the different medical doctors dealing with allergy.
This year’s Congress focused in particular on the new techniques used in estimating airborne allergenic determinants, the assessment of climate change on local airborne allergen exposure, the diffusion of ragweed and its pollen up to long distances, and the methods used in different countries to stop ragweed spread, the assessment of diffusion of new potential allergenic plants.
Giuseppe addressed these issues from our role of patient representatives at European level and highlighted how crucial is improving prevention for allergy, asthma and COPD: air quality (indoor and outdoor) have a huge impact on respiratory allergy. Co-exposure to grass pollen and small particles produce stronger allergic responses while sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide causes exacerbation of pollen allergy and enhances lung inflammation.
Beside the need for better legislations at both EU and National level for tackling respiratory allergy and reducing the burden of the disease, pilot actions and local initiatives are undergoing in several regions in Europe. EFA will present some best practices which resulted in positive impacts for the health of people with respiratory diseases.
Aerobiology is a discipline that focuses on airborne organisms and biological materials, such as pollen, fungal spores, bacteria, viruses, house dust mites, etc.. Airborne pollen and fungal spores cause allergic respiratory diseases, which are increasing in prevalence in developed countries and have encouraged studies and research on the relationships between environmental agents and pathological reactions in humans in the last few decades.
We also took part in EFA member Federasma and Allergy Onlus session, addressed to patient associations, where advocates could present patients’ initiatives, public health measures as well as research actions directly involving the patients.
More information about the ICA can be found here.