Lung health takes centre stage at the European Parliament

The Healthy Lungs for Life campaign was showcased at the European Parliament in Brussels from 4–5 February 2025.

Hosted by Vice-President of the European Parliament Nicolae Ștefănuță and organised by Lungs Europe, a partnership of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Lung Foundation (ELF), the event brought together policymakers, advocates, healthcare professionals and patients to build support for stronger action on lung health. It explored steps to prevent lung disease, the policies needed to prioritise lung health, and the importance of early diagnosis.

From free lung function testing to discussions on clean air, vaccination and tobacco cessation, the two-day event made clear the importance of preventive action and early diagnosis in tackling respiratory diseases.

Here are the highlights:

1. MEPs and partners set the stage for change

At the opening session, leaders from EU institutions, medical organisations and patient groups rallied behind the cause of better lung health for all.

Adam Jarubas MEP, Chair of the SANT Subcommittee, focused on the critical role of ensuring equitable access to care across the EU:

“It is crucial to ensure that people have access to all available treatments and care across the EU. They must be treated equally, regardless of their place of residence. Lung testing must remain a priority. As I always say: health should depend on DNA code, but it must not depend on postal code.”

Adam Jarubas MEP, Chair of the SANT Subcommittee

Prof. Barbara Hoffmann, Advocacy Council Chair for ERS, emphasised the crucial role health professionals play in raising awareness about lung disease prevention and protection: She said:

“The most important thing a health professional can do to help drive prevention and protection against lung disease is to talk about it. Talk about how important it is to breathe clean air, to not smoke or vape, to be able to be physically active, get vaccinated, and do something to mitigate climate change. Just talk about it. Talk to your neighbours, talk to people in your communities, talk to your local policymakers, so they know how important it is.”

Dimitris Kontopidis, ELF Chair, emphasised the importance of involving patients in policy discussions. He said:

“Empowered patients can create real change. But being activists and heroes is not a long-term pathway. We believe in systemic changes and long-term solutions, and that’s why we are here today. The mission of ELF is to make sure that people with lung conditions, no matter where they live, can get the care they need.”

Dimitris Kontopidis, ELF Chair and Barbara Hoffmann, Advocacy Council Chair for ERS

2. Participants test lung health and explore early diagnosis

At the exhibition, attendees were invited to complete a spirometry test – a quick way to check lung function by measuring how much air a person can blow out of their lungs.

Over the two days of the event, more than 600 tests were completed, with MEPs such as Adam Jarubas and Leire Pajin taking part in a lung function test.

A spirometry test being completed during the Healthy Lungs for Life Exhibition at the European Parliament

Testing was an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of early diagnosis for conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma and rare diseases. The interactive testing sessions highlighted how proactive screening can improve outcomes and reduce the burden of chronic respiratory diseases.

3. Discussions inspire collaborative solutions

In the afternoon, a high-impact discussion brought together MEPs, representatives from the Clean Air Fund and patient advocacy groups. The discussions explored how Europe can raise standards of care for respiratory diseases while advancing preventative measures like cleaning the air we breathe, vaccination and tobacco control policies.

Stine Bosse MEP, Vice-Chair of the SANT Subcommittee, focused on cross-border collaboration in healthcare, highlighting the importance of prevention and access to treatment:

“Prevention is a cornerstone of health policy. Everything that can be prevented should be prevented. But for those facing unavoidable diseases, access to medicines and effective treatments is crucial. Ensuring equal access across Europe must be at the top of our agenda.”

Stinne Bosse MEP, Vice-Chair of the SANT Subcommittee

Ed Powell, Chair of the European Lung Foundation Youth Group, and Ganescu Costin Radu, President of the National Coalition of Organisations for Patients with Chronic Conditions in Romania, delivered insightful contributions during the session. They provided crucial patient perspectives on living with lung disease, emphasising the impact that EU-level policy action can have on improving the quality of life for those with lung conditions.

Helen Parks, a patient advocate with the European Lung Foundation, spoke on behalf of Anna Andrałojć of the Polish Federation of Asthma, Allergy and COPD Patients’ Association. She highlighted how international collaboration is promoting lung health and improving health education: 

“The LungHealth4Life project is a prime example of successful collaboration: launched in September 2024, it is a three-year initiative bringing together the experiences and efforts of three countries – Hungary, Poland, and Portugal – in the field of health education for children and their parents.”

Michal Len, Head of the Europe Portfolio at the Clean Air Fund, also shared compelling examples of initiatives across Europe aimed at improving air quality to protect both lung health and overall wellbeing.

Clockwise from top-left: Helen Parks, Ed Powell, Michal Len and Ganescu Costin Radu

Nicolae Ștefănuță MEP concluded the session with a call to action, urging greater engagement with policymakers on lung health matters. He said:

“I urge you — engage with your local leaders. Speak to your mayors, government officials, and representatives. Many of them see air quality regulations as just another EU obligation, failing to grasp the real impact. But health is not a privilege, it is a right. No European citizen should have a shorter life expectancy simply because of where they are born. We must make policymakers understand that investing in clean air and prevention is not a cost, but a commitment to health for all.”

Nicolae Ștefănuță, Vice-President of the European Parliament

Alongside day two of the lung health exhibition, the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) gathered MEPs, patient advocates and lung health leaders for a discussion on improving COPD care and placing respiratory health higher on the political agenda.

4. Lungs Europe invites MEPs to join the MEP Lung Health Group

A key takeaway from the event was the respiratory community’s call for MEPs to engage with the MEP Lung Health Group. This informal platform brings together policymakers, healthcare professionals, and patients to discuss EU policy measures that can improve lung health.

Several MEPs who participated in the event committed to joining the MEP Lung Health Group; participation of MEPs in this group will be key to making lasting progress in lung health policy across Europe.

Lungs Europe sincerely thanks the Clean Air Fund for making this event possible, as well as all partners in the MEP Lung Health Group for their support and valuable insights throughout the event.

Thanks also to the spirometer providers ndd Medical Technologies and International Primary Care Respiratory Group for providing content for the exhibition.

Learn more about the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign

Photos: © Octavian Carare for Lungs Europe