The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease,
known as The Union, an international organisation established in 1920 to fight TB and
promote lung health worldwide, celebrates World Asthma Day.
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World Asthma Day, organised annually by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), is an
occasion for people around the world to raise awareness about asthma and to improve
asthma care. Over 300 million people in the world suffer from asthma, and there are over
250,000 asthma-related deaths each year.
Although asthma is a potentially life-threateningchronic respiratory condition, it can be successfully treated and controlled.
This year’s theme “You can control your asthma” sends a clear message: with proper
management, patients can control their own asthma. The Union strongly supports this
message.
Asthma can be controllled and treated
Dr Chiang Chen-Yuan, Director of the Lung Health Department of The Union, stated
“Asthma is one of the most common inflammatory lung diseases in the world. However, it
can be successfully treated and controlled through effective management – by identifying a
patient’s risk factors, assessing the appropriate treatment and monitoring the evolution of
the disease.”
Dr Nils E. Billo, Executive Director of The Union, declared “Prof. Nadia Aït-Khaled, Head of
The Union’s Asthma Division, has coordinated studies in numerous low- and middle-income
countries, implementing the standardised management recommendations explained in our
Asthma Guide."
"After one year of standardised management, the severity of asthma
decreased dramatically for the majority of patients and the number of emergency room visits
and hospitalisations decreased by more than 70%. Thus, the implementation of such
standardised management can significantly improve a patient’s asthma, and reduce health
costs for patients, their families, communities and governments.”
Asthma on the increase
He added, “Furthermore,
large epidemiological studies have shown that asthma is on the rise throughout the world.
This increase can be observed essentially in low- and middle-income countries, where
access to treatment - even to the essential asthma drugs recommended by the World
Health Organization - is particularly difficult and costly.”
The Union assists countries in their efforts to improve asthma care. It provides technical assistance and a practical guide with tools and training materials for the management of
asthma. It conducts operational research with its network of international experts in low- and
middle-income settings.
The Union also advocates for more equitable access to quality
asthma drugs and care. To this end, it is developing the Asthma Drug Facility, a mechanism
that provides access to affordable good quality essential drugs.
To join The Union in promoting lung health, please visit our website: www.iuatld.org
(Press release, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), May 2008)
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