Up until now, no pan-European survey by patients for patients has reported the real life experiences of what people living with severe asthma undergo every day. According to the report, "millions of people across Europe continue to live in fear and isolation due to their asthma and feel that their rights and viewpoints are being ignored".
The EFA survey was conducted with 1,300 people with severe asthma in five European countries (UK, Sweden, Spain, Germany, France) revealing national differences. Sweden has high hospital admission rates in children but one of the lowest rates in adults. Ninety-nine percent of French respondents rely on reliever medications - an indication of poor control accorgint to EFA.
The top three wishes of Europeans with severe asthma are:
further research into innovative treatment and finding the cure;
access to expert care where they live;
clean air to breathe indoors and out.
In the report, EFA calls on governments, European Institutions and health authorities to facilitate various actions including the following:
provide patient access to decent quality, affordable care and prevention;
educate patients on a continuous basis about their treatment options;
involve patients in setting the research and public health agenda;
improve regulations and standards on air pollution indoors and out, including a ban on smoking in public places and the workplace.
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