Respiratory diseases in the world: one voice "united for lung health"

The lungs are essential organs for life. However, lung diseases (including at least 10 major conditions and many more rare and orphan diseases) cause pain and suffering for millions and are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. There are many risk factors for respiratory disease, which can start from a very early age, although many are avoidable and their effects treatable. As a society, over the years, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) has been quick to respond to changing health priorities, and to raise awareness of respiratory medicine in the media and attract the attention of policy makers in Europe. In 2013, the society launched a new edition of The European Lung White Book [1], which draws on the latest data from the World …