We are proud to share that EFA brought the voice of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to the European Parliament’s Health Committee for its first-ever debate on lung health. Our Vice President, Károly Illy from the Dutch Lung Foundation, presented to the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) alongside Didier Cataldo, a representative of the European Respiratory Society (ERS), urging the EU to take action on early diagnosis of COPD, access to care, and stronger prevention. The debate showed growing political support for COPD, with MEPs supporting the calls from patients and doctors. This milestone builds on the strength of our community’s work and together, we are putting COPD on the EU agenda.

From 29–31 May 2025, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted the 6th International AAA Congress in Respiratory and Atopic Diseases. Organised by our colleagues from EFA member AAA Association BiH, this unique patient-led event has grown into one of the top scientific gatherings in respiratory and atopic diseases in Eastern Europe. The congress brought together 316 healthcare professionals for 32 expert lectures, which were preceded by specialist masterclasses. With a focus on improving patient care, representatives from 10 countries joined to share knowledge and boost cross-border collaboration.

Happy anniversary to aha! Allergiezentrum Schweiz / Centre d'Allergie Suisse, which celebrates its 25 years of supporting people with allergies, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and intolerances with a dedicated website (in German and French) and special events.

Each year, aha! helps more than 1,700 patients and families through various services, trains over 13,000 professionals across +600 courses, and has run 40 camp weeks since 2012, welcoming nearly 600 children and young people. Their Allergy Seal of Quality has certified over 1,600 products in the last 20 years. Their popular “Pollen News” app now reaches almost 100,000 active users with real-time pollen forecasts.

Our colleagues from Italian member Respiriamo Insieme have launched their Health Journey 2025, an eight-day awareness and prevention project held at hospital centers across Italy. Focusing on chronic respiratory diseases, the project features expert talks, free screenings, and a non-competitive run open to all. It aims to promote timely diagnosis, vaccination awareness, healthy lifestyles, and social connection for patients, families, and the wider community.

4 July 2025 | 19:00–20:30 (CET)

Join our colleagues from Deutscher Allergie- und Asthmabund (DAAB) for an online seminar to discover how Didgeridoo Therapy can strengthen breathing, improve posture, reduce mucus, and help you manage stress and voice problems — all while having fun. The therapy uses didgeridoo, an ancient musical instrument, sound and special vibrations. The session is open to 100 participants and will include practical tips and a chance to ask your questions live.

Following the publication of the WAED 2025 toolkit, we have now finalised the visual materials for WAED 2025. The kit now includes generic cards as well as visuals with empty sections for you to include your own messages and translations while keeping a unified visual identity. Check them out on EFA website!

Date: ongoing | Location: online

The free online course "Living better with COPD" by the LungenLiga Schweiz allows you to learn at your own pace, anytime, anywhere. Designed for people with COPD, their families, and anyone interested, this course offers practical strategies to live more confidently and independently with the condition. Created in partnership with the Swiss Society of Pneumology and AD-Swiss, it’s a perfect way to boost patients’ knowledge and daily coping skills — all from the comfort of your home.

Two weeks ago, the European Commission held a webinar on the effects of heatwaves on respiratory health. The presentations were featured by the European Respiratory Society who highlighted the increasing impact of heatwaves in Europe, stressing that respiratory patients are the most vulnerable to the effects of heat. During the webinar, ERS called on the need for effective heat health action plans, to enable a heat-resilient society.

On 12 June, EFA hosted a members-only workshop on the EU Critical Medicines Act — the first EU legislation to tackle medicine shortages. Thank you to everyone who joined!

We are now finalising our response to the EU consultation and want it to reflect your evidence and experiences. Please share:

• Data or reports on how shortages affect patients (e.g. mental health, hospital stays)
• Patient testimonials (e.g. impact on delayed treatments, cancelled surgeries)
• Good practices that help you manage shortages
• How your organisation supports patients during the shortage

Whether or not you joined the workshop, please send input by the 27^th of June to policy@efanet.org.

Our partners at the European Patients Forum (EPF) have created an online course to support patients on how to advocate on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This course aims to provide with practical training and certification to enhance patient experts advocacy skills on behalf of their community. Through four interactive lessons between 3 September and 2 December, you will gain practical tools, insights and a certificate to power up your advocacy. Registrations close on 18 July. Please let policy@efanet.org know if you apply.

Our partners at the European Patients Forum (EPF), in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), have opened a call for patient testimonies on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Have you or someone you know faced a tough infection caused by resistant bacteria? Share your experience and help strengthen the patient community’s voice in the fight against AMR.

2025 marks the first year of implementation of the EU Health Technology Assessment Regulation (HTAR) and the European Commission is organising a big annual conference on 2 July to report on progress and look ahead. EFA will be attending onsite and we encourage interested members to tune in and join the discussions online. There is a 1h30 session on how patients can shape HTA!

Takes 5 minutes | Available in 25 languages | Deadline: 21 August 2025

The European Patients’ Forum (EPF), with EFA as a founding member, has launched a survey to measure patients', carers' and patient representatives' expectations and concerns regarding the integration of AI technologies in healthcare across Europe. The survey will inform EPF (hence also EFA) positioning and policy on how to regulate AI in Europe, ensuring that the future of AI in healthcare remains ethical, safe, inclusive, and truly patient-centred.