The World Health Assembly has adopted a landmark resolution on lung health - a major step forward for people living with asthma and COPD. The resolution calls for national actions to enhance prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and care. EFA, alongside the European Lung Health Group, actively advocated for this resolution to be adopted. We now urge countries in the European region to implement these commitments, ensuring improved outcomes for respiratory patients across the continent.

Last year, the #EFACommunity worked tirelessly to strengthen patient-driven advocacy across Europe for allergy, atopic eczema, asthma and COPD. Through our four core programmes (Community, Prevention, Care and Climate Change), EFA informed European policies, bringing the patients perspective to the forefront, contributing to research, and driving change at both European and national levels together with our members. We are grateful to our Community of national associations, patient experts, partners, and supporters as this impact wouldn’t be possible without you.

The World Health Assembly adopted a historic resolution on skin diseases that marks a significant milestone for our community. The resolution puts forward a concrete agenda and invites WHO to present a global action plan, results-oriented and based on real needs, while supporting countries to develop their national plans and strategies. EFA celebrates this achievement following our advocacy work calling on the EU to support the adoption of the resolution.

On 3 June, the European Parliament’s health committee (SANT) will hold its first-ever discussion on lung health and COPD - an important step towards recognising respiratory diseases at EU level. EFA will participate in the exchange of views to bring the voice of patients' needs to the table, alongside with our partners from the European Respiratory Society. This builds on the momentum from our COPD Standards of Care European report. Tune in live and be part of this milestone for COPD advocacy!

As of 1 May 2025, the European Medicines Agency’s applies its revised Policy 0044 on handling competing interests. While aiming to improve transparency, the new rules place broader restrictions on patient experts, particularly those with recent past or present collaboration with pharmaceutical and medical device companies. In our consultation response, we insist that patient involvement must be safeguarded through proportionate rules and a realistic view of collaboration.

As the EU prepares its next long-term budget (2028–2034), there is a reflection on how to fund crisis preparedness and civil protection. EFA responded to two European Commission consultations, where we urged for stronger investment in health to protect people with allergy, asthma and COPD. We called to secure the continuum of care during emergencies, to make health systems more resilient and we called for long-term collaboration and support for civil society addressing health.

As part of the EU’s consultation on medical countermeasures (MCMs), EFA highlighted how patients with allergy, atopic eczema, asthma and COPD must also be protected during crises. We call for equitable access to life-saving treatments, climate-resilient supply chains, and patient-centred research. We also underline the need for a sustained civil society involvement in shaping emergency plans. With the right strategy, Europe can ensure that no patient is left behind when public health threats emerge.

World Atopic Eczema Day 2025 is coming up on 14 September 2025. This year’s theme “Our Skin, Our Journey” aims at raising awareness about the patient journey, from the perspective of patients, as individuals and as community, federating their struggles in the daily fight for better care

To support your participation in the campaign, we have prepared a ready-to-use toolkit in collaboration with our global partner, GlobalSkin. You will find messages, tips on how to engage different stakeholders, visuals and template letters to improve the impact of your campaign. 

Air pollution is Europe’s largest environmental threat to health, worsening symptoms and hospital visits for millions with allergy, asthma, and COPD. As a founding member of the EU Healthy Air Coalition, EFA met with the Cabinet of EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall to urge stronger #CleanAir policies. Our message is clear: breathing clean air is a right, not a privilege. It is essential healthcare for patients and the foundation of healthier communities.