Tackling chronic respiratory diseases to improve lung health

WHO’s goal is to reduce avoidable deaths and suffering from respiratory conditions by supporting governments to integrate chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) into broader strategies to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This means empowering health systems to deliver accessible diagnosis, effective long-term treatment and timely referrals, while reducing exposure to key risk factors such as tobacco use and air pollution.

CRDs are long-term conditions affecting the airways and other structures of the lungs. Common CRDs include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory allergies, occupational lung diseases and pulmonary hypertension.

CRDs affect over 80 million people in the WHO European Region and are responsible for nearly 400 000 deaths every year. Despite being preventable and treatable, they remain vastly underdiagnosed, poorly managed and significantly underestimated in their impact on individuals, health systems and economies – costing economies over US$ 21 billion annually.

The burden of CRDs falls heaviest on vulnerable populations, including children, people with low incomes and those exposed to indoor smoke, unsafe work environments or polluted air. Tobacco remains the single most avoidable cause of respiratory illness in the Region, where 25.3% of adults still smoke – above the global average of 20%. Meanwhile, over 90% of people breathe air polluted with dangerous levels of particulate matter, exceeding WHO guidelines and elevating the risk of lung damage and disease.

With COPD and asthma accounting for the majority of CRD cases, and projections showing a sharp rise in the years ahead – especially among women and in lower-income countries – the time to act is now. Countries must close care gaps, reduce harmful exposures and bring CRDs to the forefront of national and regional health strategies.

WHO supports Member States in their efforts to reduce the burden of morbidity, disability and premature mortality related to CRDs. Key objectives include:

• integrating CRDs into national NCD policies, strategies and action plans, with a coordinated approach to both preventable and treatable conditions;
• strengthening surveillance systems to assess the true scale of the problem and monitor progress over time;
• reducing population exposure to key risk factors, such as tobacco and air pollution, fostering a life-course approach to respiratory health through immunization programmes, early childhood development and health ageing programmes, while enhancing health system capacity to deliver timely, equitable and high-quality care; and
• improving diagnostic capacity and ensuring affordable access to essential services, medicines and medical devices for all people living with CRDs.

WHO takes a comprehensive, life-course and cross-sectoral approach – addressing risk factors that cut across multiple policy domains, including the environment, transport, industry, housing, occupational health and safety, education and health care.

In addition, WHO facilitates knowledge sharing among countries, supports implementation research to drive innovation and advocates for evidence-informed policy-making to accelerate impact and equity in respiratory health.