Abstract
The 2008-13 WHO Action Plan on noncommunicable diseases includes chronic respiratory diseases as one of the four priorities. Major chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) include asthma and rhinitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), occupational lung diseases, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), pulmonary hypertension, bronchiectiasis and pulmonary interstitial diseases. One billion people suffer from chronic respiratory diseases, the majority being in developing countries. Chronic respiratory diseases have major adverse effects on the life and disability of patients. Effective intervention plans can prevent and control chronic respiratory diseases, thus reducing morbidity and mortality. A prioritized research agenda should encapsulate all of these considerations in the frame of the global fight against noncommunicable diseases. It requires both chronic respiratory diseases-targeted interventions as well as transversal noncommunicable disease programs which include chronic respiratory diseases with emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.
- ERS