Pöördumine

UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email: [email protected] DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Denmark

Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ

Date: 24 April 2025 Ms Helen Sõber Adviser European Union Affairs and International Co- operation Department Ministry of Social Affairs Suur-Ameerika 1 10122 Tallinn Estonia

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE

REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Head office:

UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.who.int/europe

Our reference: Notre référence: Unser Zeichen: См. наш номер:

Your reference: Votre référence: Ihr Zeichen: На Ваш номер:

Dear Ms Sõber,

Special joint session European Respiratory Society and WHO Regional Office for Europe

Launch of the joint WHO and European Respiratory Society regional report

Chronic Respiratory Diseases in the WHO European Region. Toward Health Equity in 2050: a spotlight on COPD and asthma

12 June 2025, Dublin, Ireland

The WHO Regional Office for Europe in close collaboration with the European Respiratory Society (ERS) organize a launch event of the jointly developed regional report “Chronic Respiratory Diseases in the WHO European Region. Towards Health Equity in 2050: a spotlight on COPD and asthma” on 12 June 2025 in Dublin, Ireland.

The objectives of the event are to present the key findings of the report and discuss with Member States a way forward at regional and national levels in chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) area. The high-level panel discussion can provide current and potential opportunities to implement stronger national strategies and policies in CRD, advocate for joint CRD actions as part of the wider NCD agenda, discuss current experience in the region and country cases, country needs and required support from the WHO Regional Office for Europe and ERS.

The launch event is a part of a bigger ERS Presidential Summit on Improving Respiratory Health in Europe.

The event will bring together experts in the respiratory health area, health systems strengthening, research and academia across the region, representatives of 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, WHO Regional Office for Europe and ERS experts.

The scope and purpose and provisional agenda for the report launch event, and a concept and provisional programme for the ERS Summit are enclosed. The working language will be English.

The WHO Regional Office for Europe and ERS invite one representative of your country, responsible for noncommunicable diseases, respiratory diseases, or universal health coverage to attend the launch event and the ERS Presidential Summit. Documentation, including administrative information will be sent directly to the nominated representative.

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Should costs be an obstacle to your participation partial reimbursement may be considered and covered by ERS.

Please provide your nominations with the detailed contact information to Dr Elena Tsoy, WHO Technical Officer on NCD Management to [email protected], Alethe de Vaulgrenant, ERS Policy and Event Officer to [email protected] with copy to Anita Strandsbjerg, [email protected] no later than 15 May 2025.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Gauden Galea, Strategic Advisor to the Regional Director Special Initiative on NCD and Innovation WHO Regional Office for Europe Encls: 1. Scope and purpose of the launch event of the WHO and ERS regional report 2. Provisional agenda of the launch event of the WHO and ERS regional report 3. Provisional concept of the ERS Presidential Summit 4. Provisional programme of the ERS Presidential Summit Copy for information to: Ms Agne Nettan-Sepp, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1, 10129 Tallinn, Estonia H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28A, CH-1209 Genève, Switzerland H.E. Mr Andre Pung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Estonia, Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor, 1265 Copenhagen K, Denmark Ms Kristina Köhler, Liaison Officer, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia

Special joint session ERS and WHO

Launch of the WHO and European Respiratory Society regional report

“Chronic Respiratory Diseases in the WHO European Region: Toward Health Equity in 2050: a spotlight on COPD and asthma”

Dublin, Ireland 12 June 2025

Provisional agenda

15:30-15:45

Welcome and opening remarks

Department of Health, Ireland (tbc) Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Office for Europe (tbc) Professor Silke Ryan, European Respiratory Society

15:45-16:35

Moderators: ERS and WHO EURO

Key findings of WHO and ERS report

Presentation, WHO EURO and ERS

Highlights of the CRD examples: from West to the East of the region

 Finland  Georgia  Hungary  Portugal  Kyrgyzstan  UK

Time for actions: way forward

A high-level panel discussion

 Ministries of Health  Health worker  Patient / ELF  Civil Society, youth representative or NGO, community

representative  Partner organization  ERS  WHO

16:35-16:45

Summary and wrap up

Professor Silke Ryan, President, European Respiratory Society Dr Gauden Galea, Strategic Advisor to the Regional Director, WHO Regional office for Europe

Improving Respiratory Health in Europe

ERS Presidential Summit

Concept and Concrete Aims

Respiratory diseases are largely preventable but overwhelmingly contribute to Europe’s

health challenges, with 42.7 million people living with asthma, over a quarter of which are

children and young people, and over 40.4 million with chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease. Moreover, Europe’s societal cost of nine major lung conditions amounted to 1.4

trillion euros in 2021 alone.1

Disadvantage during childhood such as prematurity, low socioeconomic status, lack of

breastfeeding, early life tobacco or air pollution exposure, or childhood diseases such as

asthma, respiratory infections and allergies can increase risk of impaired lung health and

development. However, factors such as high levels of physical activity, healthy diet,

favourable environments, vaccination, early detection and disease management can have

a positive impact on lung development, potentially improving respiratory health over time.2

The lungs are an incredible organ and a key indicator of overall health in young individuals

and predicts healthy ageing.3 Research shows that the lungs have an extensive ability to

regenerate lost or damaged cells in response to injury,4 and that lung function development

is shaped, both positively and negatively, by individual and environmental factors

throughout one’s life.5

1 Lung facts. 2024. International Respiratory Coalition. https://international-respiratory- coalition.org/countries/europe/. Date last accessed: 4 October 2024 2 Melen E, et al. Lung function trajectories: relevance and implementation in clinical practice. Lancet. 2024; (in press). 3 Agustí A, et al. Lung function in early adulthood and health in later life: a transgenerational cohort analysis. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2017; 5: 935-945. 4 Kotton, D. N., & Morrisey, E. E. (2014). Lung regeneration: mechanisms, applications and emerging stem cell populations. Nature medicine, 20(8), 822–832. https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.3642 5 Melen E, et al. Lung function trajectories: relevance and implementation in clinical practice. Lancet. 2024; (in press).

Prevention should be considered holistically, encompassing primary, secondary, and

tertiary levels. Ensuring people live in healthy environments, have access to early detection

services, and receive timely interventions is essential. Additionally, for those who do fall ill,

proper disease management is crucial to reduce suffering, slow disease progression, and

prevent the onset of co-morbidities. Importantly, prevention should not be siloed, having

access to care and disease management is of utmost importance, but sending patients back

to unfavourable environments will only lead to further exacerbation and hospitalisation.

The burden of respiratory diseases cannot be solved by traditional measures. Further, the

health effects of climate change, rising antimicrobial resistance and an ageing population

exacerbate the situation. However, innovations in organisational, social, and research

practices, artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and genomics offer new opportunities

and potential solutions. Preventing disease progression also needs to be considered in the

context of innovation such as remote monitoring, artificial intelligence, accessible medical

devices, and novel medicines.

Prevention is a core focus of the European Respiratory Society’s strategy. Concurrently, in

July 2024, Ursula Von der Leyen highlighted preventative health in her political guidelines

for the next European Commission.6 She subsequently tasked the incoming Commissioner

for Health and Animal Welfare to step up the work “on preventative health ensuring a

comprehensive approach to health promotion and disease prevention across the life

course”.7 She adds further in the letter that “investing in effective prevention measures will

reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, helping to lighten the load on

healthcare systems and support healthy longevity”.8

Ahead of the Fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on the prevention and

control of NCDs in September 2025, the European Respiratory Society is working with the

WHO Regional office for Europe to produce the first ever WHO regional report on Chronic

6 von der Leyen U. Europe’s Choice. Political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029. 18 July 2024. https://commission.europa.eu/document/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en 7 von der Leyen U. Mission Letter. Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare. 17 September 2024. https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/b1817a1b-e62e-4949-bbb8- ebf29b54c8bd_en?filename=Mission%20letter%20-%20VARHELYI.pdf 8 von der Leyen U. Mission Letter. Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare. 17 September 2024. https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/b1817a1b-e62e-4949-bbb8- ebf29b54c8bd_en?filename=Mission%20letter%20-%20VARHELYI.pdf

Respiratory Diseases. Moreover, at the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board a group

of Member States proposed a draft decision Promoting and prioritizing an integrated lung

health approach, urging Member States to “develop integrated national policy for an

integrated approach to lung health...ensuring engagement from all relevant sectors

including health, environment, labour, education, and finance.”9

The Summit aims to bring together experts, government representatives, public health,

health care professionals, and patients from across Europe to:

1. Take stock of successes in respiratory disease prevention

2. Highlight the gaps (such as in data and research), including as identified by the

WHO-Europe Chronic Respiratory Disease Report

3. Identify the initiatives health policy makers could consider.

4. Determine new processes, policies, products or programmes that respond to the

burden of respiratory health

9 Promoting and prioritizing an integrated lung health approach. 2025, World Health Organisation. EB156/CONF./5.

Programme Prevention Summit

12 June 2025

8:30-9:00 Registration and Coffee

9:00-9:30

Welcome and opening remarks Irish Department of Health - tbd Dr Diarmuid O'Shea, President, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Prof Silke Ryan, President, European Respiratory Society

9:30-11:00

Session 1: Breaking out of silos Introduction to session: Sugar taxes and bike lanes Prof Barbara Hoffmann ERS Advocacy Council Chair Moderator: Prof Monika Gappa, ERS Past President Prof Zorana J Andersen, University of Copenhagen Prof Jonathan Grigg, Queen Mary University of London Dr Milka Sokolovic, Director General European Public Health Alliance Government rep – tbd: Ireland (hosting WCTC week after)?

11:00-11:30 Networking Break

11:30-12:45

Session 2: Early detection and screening: successes, gaps, and the path forward Introduction to session: Making a difference Moderator: Prof Joanna Chorostowska- Wynimko, ERS President Elect Dr Barry Linnane, Paediatric Respiratory Consultant at UHL JARED Speaker – tbd Prof Erik Melen, Karolinska Institute Government rep? / Royal College of Physicians speaker- tbd

12:45-13:45 Lunch Break

13:45-15:00

Session 3: Lived experience and pragmatic solutions Introduction to session: NCD health check areas in clinics Prof Hilary Pinnock, ERS Education Council Chair Moderator: Ms Helen Parks - tbd Young Irish person- tbd Adult: - tbd Prof Ildiko Horvath – ERS Secretary General Elect Government representative – tbc

15:00-15:30 Networking Break

15:30-16:45

Special joint session ERS/WHO: Towards Health Equity in 2050

16:45-17:05

Integration of respiratory health in policy Mr Jose Luis Castro, WHO Special Envoy on Chronic Respiratory Diseases - tbd

17:05-17:30

Closing remarks Government representative - tbd Prof Silke Ryan, President, European Respiratory Society

Special joint session ERS and WHO

Launch of the joint WHO and European Respiratory Society regional report

Chronic Respiratory Diseases in the WHO European Region Toward Health Equity in 2050: a spotlight on COPD and asthma

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Date: 12 June 2025 Venue: Dublin, Ireland

10 April 2025

Original: English

Scope and purpose

The human respiratory system is fundamental for health and wellbeing, closely intertwined with other noncommunicable and communicable diseases. Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) significantly impact morbidity, disability, and premature mortality, and are one of the four major non-communicable disease (NCD) groups with a growing global burden.

CRDs include COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease (ILD), pneumoconiosis, sleep apnoea, pulmonary hypertension and others. Efforts to address respiratory burden have primarily focused on COPD and asthma, which this report highlights.

Risk factors for CRDs include harmful environmental, occupational, and behavioral inhalational exposures. Tobacco is the foremost causal and avoidable risk factor, with damage occurring from the first cigarette. The emergence of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products adds further harm.

Indoor and outdoor air pollution combined are the second most important risk factor overall and the most significant for children's CRD. Other harmful factors include occupational exposures, temperature extremes, and metabolic risk factors like high or low BMI.

Determining the burden of disease is crucial to identify unmet needs. Compared to other major diseases, there are few population-based studies on CRDs. Globally, an estimated 545 million people have a CRD. In the European region, age-adjusted standardized prevalence rates of CRDs are among the highest, with 81.7 million people living with CRDs in 2021. The burden is expected to increase due to population growth and aging, with disparities across the region.

The 2011 UN General Assembly declaration on NCDs recognized that the incidence and impacts of NCDs, including CRDs, can be largely prevented or reduced through evidence-based, cost- effective, population-wide, and multisectoral interventions. This commitment is echoed in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages.

The post-2030 agenda emphasizes addressing health inequalities and ensuring universal health coverage (UHC), vital for tackling CRDs. The WHO European Region's commitment includes national action plans targeting CRD prevention and control, recognizing the need for multisectoral collaboration and sustainable health interventions.

Scope and purpose page 2

To address the burden, the WHO Regional Office for Europe and European Respiratory Society developed a regional report “Chronic Respiratory Diseases in the WHO European Region. Towards Health Equity in 2050: a spotlight on CODP and asthma”, which provides the analysis of the CRD burden, heath system response, and provide an overview of the research and innovation priorities. The report also include country cases from different parts of the WHO European Region.

On 12th June 2025, WHO and ERS is organizing a joint session aimed on the launch of the joint regional resport in Dublin, Ireland. The launch event is a part of the ERS Presidency Summit on Improving Respiratory Health in Europe.

The session will introduce key concepts and insights from the report and explore the current disease burden across the region and the opportunities to implement joined-up strategies and policies, learn from different country experiences across the region, build resilient health systems, research and innovation priorities in CRD prevention and management.

To support the launch, representatives from 53 Member States of the WHO European Region will share perspectives of the challenges and innovations in chronic respiratory diseases, discuss opportunities to contribute to the 4th UN high-level NCD meeting in New York, in September 2025. This will be followed by an opportunity to augment learning through facilitated discussion.

The event will be conducted in English language.