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30 April 2014
EU
Asthma

World Asthma Day 2014

Asthma is a disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity and frequency. An asthma attack is the result of an inflammation of the air passages that reduces the flow of air in and out of the lungs. Despite the growing use of asthma medications, asthma control remains poor with around 10% of people with asthma suffering from severe asthma.

As representatives of patients of asthma, COPD and other respiratory diseases, EFA and its members in collaboration with other European NGOs will launch a tool next 6 May, World Asthma Day, to disseminate information on how air pollution harms our health, aiming at increasing asthma prevention and improving the air we breathe. European mobility, production and consumption life-styles are heavily impacting air quality in urban areas that increase the severity of asthma conditions on patients. Although 87% of Europeans think that both respiratory diseases, and asthma and allergy are a serious problem caused by air pollution, 11 Member States exceed their air pollution limits.

Air pollution cuts all of our lives short. In 2010 alone, more than 400,000 people died earlier because of it or dying of a heart attack when pollution levels go up. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), by 2050 (outdoor) air pollution will become the biggest environmental cause of premature death worldwide. To redress the situation, you can join the activities programmed in your country and visit the tool we will launch on the World Asthma Day.