World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day – EU4Health projects promote early detection and prevention of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease that causes restricted airflow and breathing problems and is one of the main causes of death worldwide. However, it is often not diagnosed correctly.  

More generally, chronic respiratory diseases represent a major health challenge, affecting millions of people across Europe and placing a significant burden on health systems. 

On the occasion of COPD Day, let’s take a closer look at two EU4Health projects working on raising awareness and strengthening prevention of the disease.  

LungHealth4Life (LH4L) focuses on raising awareness of lung health among children, organising lung health checks and educational activities in schools. The programme, built on the Healthy Lungs for Life for Schools initiative by the European Lung Foundation, takes place in schools located in areas with different levels of environmental exposures, with students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, and addresses children from 6 to 11 years old. 

Research from this project demonstrates that COPD can be developed as early as during childhood and go unnoticed for years. Lung development can be affected by a number of factors, such as genetics, air pollution, maternal smoking or childhood infections. By checking lung health at school, reducing exposure to tobacco smoke and air pollution, and supporting healthy lung growth in childhood, LH4L facilitates the prevention of diseases like COPD. 

The pioneering Joint Action on chronic REspiratory Diseases (JARED) aims to reduce the burden of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) such as COPD, asthma and other types of diseases affecting the lungs. It addresses gaps in prevention and management of CRDs across Europe by promoting early recognition of symptoms, supporting patients’ self-management, and introducing digital tools that allow them to monitor their condition from home. 

JARED focuses on: 

• The promotion of digital and telemedicine solutions that make prevention and care more accessible;
• Supporting people who are geographically or socially disadvantaged, to address health inequalities;
• Implementing measures to improve indoor air quality, promote vaccination, and raise awareness about the risks of smoking, air pollution, and new nicotine products. 

Background 

EU4Health is the fourth and largest of the EU health programmes. The EU4Health programme goes beyond an ambitious response to the COVID-19 crisis to address the resilience of European healthcare systems. The programme provides funding to national authorities, health organisations and other bodies through grants and public procurement, contributing to a healthier Europe. HaDEA manages the vast majority of the total EU4Health budget and implements the programme by managing calls for proposals and calls for tenders from 2021 to 2027.