Title : A broader narrative on respiratory diseases: A citizens and patients perspective towards the development of an EU Respiratory Health Plan
Abstract:
Respiratory diseases represent a major and persistent public health challenge in the European Union, con tributing substantially to morbidity, mortality, healthcare utilisation, and health inequalities. Despite existing initiatives, respiratory health remains insufficiently integrated into broader infection, prevention and control strategies, vaccination plans, programmes to fight antimicrobial resistance. For instance, as COVID-19 transitions from a pandemic to an endemic disease, its integration into the broader policy and healthcare framework for respiratory diseases becomes imperative. The presentation will provide a concrete example of activities that CSOs (Civil society organizations) and PAGs (Patients' advocacy groups) can carry out in support of public policy, with a particular focus on vaccine preventable respiratory diseases: main findings from a European qualitative survey - promoted by the Italian NGO Cittadinanzattiva through its EU branch, called “Active Citizenship Network” - conducted among PAGs and CSOs to evaluate progress and gaps in policy, service transformation, public awareness, and preparedness for future respiratory health threats; a consen sus-based expert policy analysis conducted through a multidisciplinary European Working Group on Respiratory Care to outline policy priorities to support a more integrated, equitable, and resilient European respiratory health strategy a communication campaing realized with 13 national patient advocacy groups across Europe, calling the EU to move towards a comprehensive EU Respiratory Health Plan.
