Beware of Allergy on EAACI Congress 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark

The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) and Asthma-Allergy Denmark are launching an outstanding campaign with a high-impact street action to increase awareness of the burden and seriousness of allergy. Allergy is a public health problem of pandemic proportions that affects more than 150 million people in Europe, where it is the most common chronic disease1. According to experts, 1 out of every 3 children have an allergy and they expect the disease to affect more than 50% of all Europeans in 10 years’ time. Furthermore, up to 1 in 5 allergic people suffer a serious debilitating disease and are in fear of death from a possible asthma attack or anaphylactic shock1. Anaphylaxis is a severe, generalised allergic reaction largely caused by food, drugs and insect bites.

European Parliament Written Declaration on recognising the burden of allergic disease

Dear Respiratory Friends now you can sign European Parliament Written Declaration on Recognizing the Burden of Allergic Disease!

 

Allergic diseases affect over 150 million Europeans, of whom some are affected by severe, debilitating diseases, but these are neglected as a public health concern.
Members of the European Parliament now have an opportunity to call on the European Commission and EU Member States to take action by signing a Written Declaration on Recognising the Burden of Allergic Disease, which opened for signatures in October 21st and will remain open until January 21, 2014.

1. More than 150 million EU citizens suffer from chronic allergic diseases, half of whom are undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness and shortage of medical specialists;

2. More than 100 million Europeans suffer from allergic rhinitis and 70 million from asthma,the most common non-communicable diseases in children and the main cause of children’s emergency room visits and hospital admissions;

3. More than 17 million Europeans suffer from food allergies or severe allergies implying a risk of acute attacks or anaphylaxis with life-threatening potential;

4. Allergies are an underestimated cause of unhealthy ageing and have a severe impact on social, professional and educational performance, especially in children, causing socioeconomic inequalities;

5. The Commission is therefore called upon to encourage cooperation and coordinationbetween Member States to promote: national allergyprogrammes to reduce the disease burden and health inequalities; training in allergies and multidisciplinary care plans to

improve disease management; use of preventive and tolerance-inducing approaches toallergy treatment; and scientific research into direct and indirect allergy risk factors,including pollution;

6. This declaration, together with the names of the signatories, is forwarded to the Commission.

World Allergy Week 2013

Dear Respiratory Friends this week is World Allergy Week 2013!!!

Professor Ruby Pawankar, President of the World Allergy Organization (WAO), and Professor Motohiro Ebisawa, Chair of the WAO Communications Council, warmly welcome WAO Member Societies to World Allergy Week 2013 (8-14 April). This year’s theme is “Food Allergy—A Rising Global Health Problem”, and there are many ways Member Societies can participate to help highlight food allergies, provide information about the their increasing prevalence, and explain the need for enhanced education and patient care services to improve safey, prevention, and quality of life.

Anyone can become allergic, even you. No matter what's your job, age or living are - we are sensitive people and allergy is not looking at our profession.  

It’s Allergyweek in Finland!

Launch of International Collaboration in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology

The reasons for the negative effects of allergies and asthma are variable, but in most countries patients with these diseases are either inadequately or improperly treated, resulting in a greater negative effect and resources expended. The awareness of these trends among politicians, other policymakers, patients, the general public, and many health care insurers outside the specialty of allergy and immunology is limited. This lack of awareness and knowledge gap has resulted in reduced resources allocated to treat and promote research for these diseases.

Recognizing a lack of consensus-driven information and general recommendations, four of the most influential allergy/immunology professional organizations have joined forces to launch the International Collaboration in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (iCAALL). Participating in iCAALL are the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) and the World Allergy Organization (WAO).

Here is a link to press-conference.

iCAALL

iCAALL is designed to collect and disseminate consensus-driven information about allergies, asthma and immunological diseases. Communicating this knowledge can positively impact diagnosis and treatment, as well as cost containment and policy decisions.

A major focus of this initiative is the production of a series of International Consensus (ICON) reports. These documents offer general recommendations based on global challenges in caring for patients with allergic and immunologic diseases.

The first ICON was dedicated to food allergies and was just published: 

Food Allergy ICON