Brussels, 06/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Respiratory diseases account for at least 17% of all deaths worldwide. Hundreds of millions worldwide suffer from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) alone. In Europe, lung diseases are among the leading causes of mortality, and treatment and care related costs continue to weigh heavily on budgets. In general terms, the treatment of chronic diseases is a challenge that goes far beyond pubic health and is one that Europe must address if it is to achieve the goal of 75% of the working population employed and productive. At a press conference in the European Parliament in Brussels on 6 September, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) presented a roadmap in which it sets out recommendations for closer links between the medical community and political decision-makers over the next decade so that respiratory disorders can be treated more effectively. It sets out future needs in terms of hospital practice, patients' rights, care and preventive strategies; it also outlines the obstacles to the development of medical research in this area, research which, the ERS says, is underfunded. European health systems are under pressure and, in most countries of the European Union, health costs have risen to 10.5% of GDP, which corresponds to between 28% and 29% of these countries' fiscal revenues. With the associated costs of an ageing population, these costs are likely to reach 16% of GDP by 2020, the ERS warns, calling for concerted efforts across Europe to ensure effective prevention and management of chronic respiratory diseases.
In October 2010, under the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council, conclusions were adopted by the Council on Ministers on developing innovative approaches to the treatment of chronic diseases. Following debate and consultation in the European Commission and member states, a document is expected to be published in 2012. The ERS is calling for a robust strategy and welcomes the proposal from the Polish Presidency which, in the second half of this year, will address the issue of respiratory diseases in children. According to the ERS, respiratory diseases must be at the heart of the debate on the treatment of chronic illnesses. (I.L./transl.rt)