Lungs Europe, the Brussels-based collaboration between European Lung Foundation (ELF) and European Respiratory Society (ERS), has received an operational grant under the EU4Health programme.
Established in 2019, Lungs Europe brings together respiratory patients through ELF and professionals through ERS, to influence and shape EU health priorities, policy and research in support of improved lung health for all.
The new grant will support objectives to increase health literacy in Europe and promote good lung health in Europe and beyond. Lungs Europe, together with other stakeholders, is well placed to provide input from patients and healthcare professionals to inform and support EU policy covering a range of health topics.
The objectives outlined in the operational grant workplan will strengthen activities around the promotion of lung health, prevention and treatment. It will also work to improve public, patient and professional knowledge on topics including cancer, smoking cessation, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), nutrition and the digitalisation of healthcare systems. This will help member states with health policy implementation and ensure new MEPs in 2024 are quickly brought up to date on lung health priorities.
Welcoming the news of the grant, ELF Chair, Dimitris Kontopidis, said: “This grant is an important step forward for Lungs Europe. It will ensure that our activities remain at the forefront of the EU health arena. The lived experience and patient perspective is an invaluable tool for policymakers in developing effective and efficient policies. We are committed to improved lung health for all and the best way to achieve this is by working together, as patients, patient organisations and professionals, with a united voice.”
ERS President Monika Gappa commented: “We know there are challenges as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and we face an uncertain future with disparities in healthcare and visible consequences of climate change directly affecting respiratory health and disease. The operating grant will ensure that Lungs Europe is well placed to tackle these challenges at the political level and increase awareness for lung health and respiratory diseases. By bringing together patients and professionals, we can shape EU health priorities and advocate for improved lung health for all.”
About us
In 2019, the European Lung Foundation (ELF) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) identified that there was a lack of knowledge on EU policy around lung health for patients, the public and healthcare professionals. By establishing Lungs Europe, we can cascade the key messages of the EU through their networks of healthcare professionals and patients, patient organisations and the public. Lungs Europe will also provide opportunities for the EU to receive patient, public and professional viewpoints, needs and experiences. These channels have never been more important since COVID-19, which hugely impacted the lives of people living with lung conditions and respiratory health professionals as Europe looks for new ways to ensure cross-border collaboration, wider data collection, increased communication and improved healthcare systems.
Learn more about Lungs Europe, ERS and ELF here.
Connect with Lungs Europe on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on all upcoming activities: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lungs-europe
The Lungs Europe enterprise number is 0738.383.695
