The recent* report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Respiratory Society warns of the growing burden of chronic respiratory diseases, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, across Europe. These conditions affect millions of people, deepen social inequalities, and place a heavy strain on healthcare systems. In response to these alarming findings, IHU RespirERA reaffirms its commitment to act.
A Major Human and Economic Burden
Chronic respiratory diseases affect over 81 million people in Europe and are responsible for nearly 400,000 deaths each year. COPD accounts for 80% of these fatalities. By 2050, the number of cases is expected to rise by another 23% worldwide. More than 90% of Europeans breathe air that is too polluted, due to occupational, indoor, and outdoor exposures, and tobacco use remains widespread, with 25% of adults still smoking.
The economic consequences are substantial: direct healthcare costs, lost productivity, and a broader, often underestimated, impact on the global economy.
Worrying Inequalities
While Western Europe reports the highest number of cases, hospitalization and death rates are highest in Eastern Europe, where access to healthcare is more limited. The most vulnerable populations are also the hardest hit, facing persistent barriers to care and treatment.
Preventable Causes, Known Solutions
The main risk factors for chronic respiratory diseases are preventable: tobacco use, air pollution, occupational exposure and overweight. Yet smoking remains prevalent, and pollution levels continue to exceed health guidelines by a wide margin.
IHU RespirERA: A Key Player in Tackling These Urgent Challenges
In the face of the major challenges highlighted in the report, IHU RespirERA positions itself as a driver of innovation and action in respiratory health. Our goals are to:
- Develop early and innovative diagnostic tools using cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and liquid biopsy.
- Create new treatments and care models that provide more effective and personalized care, tailored to the specific needs of each patient.
- Fight inequalities in access to care and innovation by focusing on the most vulnerable populations and regions, and by implementing proactive outreach strategies.
- Strengthen primary prevention hrough targeted awareness campaigns (tobacco use, air quality, personal environment, etc.) and enhance secondary prevention through systematic screening, for example, combining low-dose chest CT for lung cancer detection with spirometry for COPD diagnosis.
- Coordinate efforts at the European level by joining collaborative projects that pool knowledge and fill critical data gaps.
As an institute dedicated to respiratory health, IHU RespirERA is committed to transforming these challenges into concrete advances for the benefit of millions of patients.
Together, let’s make respiratory health a priority for a future where everyone can breathe freely.
* May 2025
