The international project “Joint Action on chronic REspiratory Diseases” (JARED) has started to run by a professional coordination of the National Korányi Institute for Pulmonology (NKIP) in Hungary. This project’s aim is to strengthen and renew the efforts made by the European Union in order that chronic lung diseases should be reduced with innovative solutions. The project intends to promote early recognition of diseases and support the independent management of their condition. The project launch event with a participation policymakers and experts took place in Budapest, Hungary.
Nowadays, chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and occupational lung diseases, affect the airways and other structures of the lungs and means a serious public health problem across Europe. Prof. Ildikó HORVÁTH (NKIP), Scientific Coordinator of the international project explained that JARED, supported by the EU4Health programme, brings together 35 organizations from 14 countries in field of healthcare, research and education to improve the prevention of these diseases, promote innovative treatment methods and raise awareness among European society about the importance of lung health and improve healthcare by providing a better quality of life to the patients. The leading role of JARED project means a special honour with no coincidence to National Korányi Institute for Pulmonology, because we have repeatedly proven an outstanding professional standard over the past 120 years, said Krisztina BOGOS PhD, MD, Director General of the National Korányi Institute for Pulmonology.
The goals of JARED include, for example, the use of digital technologies that allow patients to monitor their own condition from home and for healthcare institutions to support the improvement of patients’ condition with the help of telemedicine. In addition, special attention is given to those who are geographically or socially disadvantaged. As part of the project’s preventive aspects, a package of measures aimed at improving indoor air quality is being developed. Moreover, educational materials are being provided and training is being organized to widely disseminate the results of individual vaccinations. The project will draw attention to the importance of clean air, and to the risky use of new types of tobacco and other nicotine-containing products to maintain lung health, as well as to the harmful effects of inhaling toxic gases/vapours. This collaboration helps Europe move towards a healthier shared future, in which chronic respiratory diseases claim fewer lives.
