The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) has initiated a global social movement to bring meaningful change in asthma management. The driving idea behind this initiative is a recognition that, while the current approach may feel sufficient to many, it falls short of optimal care. The IPCRG network sees clear evidence of avoidable harm and unnecessary costs in the current asthma management framework, which continue to impact lives and wellbeing.1 To counteract this, IPCRG's "Asthma Right Care" aims to inspire a shift towards better care practices by reducing both overuse and underuse of effective treatments. This means moving beyond episodic symptom relief and acute responses to establish a chronic care model that adheres to international or national asthma guidelines, prioritizing the appropriate use of anti-inflammatory inhaled medications.

COP29, currently underway in Baku, is bringing together global leaders to address the multifaceted issues of climate change, with healthcare firmly on the agenda. In a speech delivered by the WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, he emphasized the critical link between climate change and human health, reinforcing that the climate crisis is, at its core, a health crisis. The escalating climate emergency is no longer a distant threat; it is already affecting human lives, particularly those of vulnerable groups like women and children.

Although there is limited evidence on the link between interstitial lung disease (ILD) and malnutrition, malnourished patients tend to have shorter survival rates, regardless of disease severity. A late-breaking abstract presented at ERS 2024 titled “Dietetic intervention in malnourished patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD): a pilot trial” investigated whether dietitian involvement could provide meaningful benefits to these patients, potentially laying the groundwork for further research and future clinical guidelines.

A new study in the European Respiratory Journal reveals that early-life BMI trajectories significantly influence lung function outcomes in young adulthood, with abnormal BMI patterns linked to poorer respiratory health. 

A new European Respiratory Society (ERS) statement on preschool wheezing disorders represents a significant update in the approach to diagnosing and managing this complex condition in young children.

As we observe World Lung Day, it is crucial to reflect on the escalating impact of respiratory diseases across the globe. Chronic respiratory diseases — including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and others — continue to rank among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The World Health Organization’s latest data underscores the persistence of the global respiratory crisis:

A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal has revealed new insights into the immune response in children suffering from recurrent respiratory tract infections (rRTIs).

The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has released its 2024 update on asthma management and prevention. This report, authored by the GINA Science Committee, brings significant updates on various topics crucial for effective asthma management.

The European Commission has approved dupilumab (Regeneron and Sanofi)) as an add-on maintenance treatment for adults with uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by raised blood eosinophils.