Written declaration on combating COPD

 Written declaration on combating COPD

The written declaration was launched by Scottish MEP Catherine Stihler and called upon the EU and Member States to pay more attention to the condition. COPD is currently the fourth biggest killer in the EU and is predicted to become the third biggest killer worldwide by 2020. Despite this, COPD continues to be under-diagnosed and under-funded at both national and European level. Approximately 200,000-300,000 people die each year in Europe because of COPD. Among respiratory diseases, COPD is the leading cause of lost work days and it is estimated that in Europe productivity losses due to COPD amount to a total of €28.5 billion annually.

A written declaration is a text of maximum 200 words on a matter falling within the European Union's sphere of activities, and can be used by MEPs to launch or relaunch a debate.  Written declarations, to be discussed in plenary and to be then forwarded to the institutions mentioned on the document, need to be signed by more than half of the 785 MEPs.

The written declaration was launched on World COPD Day in November 2006 and closed for signature on 23 February 2007. A total of 120 of the 785 MEPs signed the declaration. Whilst this was not enough to for the declaration to be discussed in the European Parliament or Council it constitutes a remarkable show of interest and support from MEPs on a previously neglected issue in the European Parliament. ERS will continue to work with these MEPs to ensure that COPD gets the attention it deserves from European policy and lawmakers. To find out if your MEPs signed the declaration please contact the ERS Office Brussels: ersinfo.brussels@ersnet.org  

The Written Declaration was available for signature until 23 February 2007.

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Press Release - World COPD Day 2006: EU must pay more attention to this under-funded killer

Brussels, 15 November 2006
European COPD patients and pneumologists mark World COPD Day and welcome the launch of a written declaration in the European Parliament calling upon the EU to pay more attention to this under-recognised and under-funded killer.

The European Respiratory Society (ERS), the European Lung Foundation (ELF) and the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Association (EFA) welcomed the launch today of a written declaration in the European Parliament on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The written declaration was launched by Scottish MEP Catherine Stihler and calls upon the EU and Member States to pay more attention to the condition. COPD is currently the fourth biggest killer in the EU and is predicted to become the third biggest killer worldwide by 2020. Despite this, COPD continues to be under-diagnosed and under-funded at both national and European level.

Approximately 200,000-300,000 people die each year in Europe because of COPD. Among respiratory diseases, COPD is the leading cause of lost work days and it is estimated that in Europe productivity losses due to COPD amount to a total of €28.5 billion annually.

Professor Bill McNee, President of the ERS said, "COPD is a serious condition which is simply not recognised for what it is by most national governments. Many people live with the disease for years before they are diagnosed and suffer a massive reduction in their quality of life. There is a very great need to get the message across to governments and research funders that COPD rates are increasing across Europe and bringing misery and economic hardship to millions of people. We welcome the declaration and very much appreciate the European Parliament's staunch support for more recognition and funding for respiratory disease over the last two years."

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Health and patients' organisations around the world celebrate World COPD Day on 15th November 2006

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is currently the fourth biggest killer in the European Union and is predicted to become the third biggest killer within the next 15 years. Despite these alarming figures, COPD continues to be under-funded at European level.

Today, 15th November, the European Parliament has launched a written declaration which calls on the European Union and Member States to pay more attention to this condition. In particular, the declaration launched by Scottish MEP Catherine Stihler, calls on the European Commission and Council to list respiratory diseases (including COPD) under the major disease category under FP7.

Approximately 200,000-300,000 people die each year in Europe because of COPD. Among respiratory diseases, COPD is the leading cause of lost work days, and it is estimated that in Europe productivity losses due to COPD amount to a total of €28.5 billion annually.

 Read the full press release