On the road to prevention and healthy living

The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. EAACI has dedicated all its resources to improving the health of people affected by allergic diseases and asthma.

Allergic diseases and asthma constitute a public health concern of pandemic proportions that requires immediate and concerted actions. By 2025, more than 50 percent of all Europeans will suffer from allergy. Asthma and allergic rhinitis alone are estimated to result in more than 100 million lost workdays and missed school days in Europe every year.

Disease prevention is vital to controlling this growing public health burden. As the primary source of expertise in Europe for all aspects of allergic diseases and asthma, EAACI calls on all healthcare professionals, patients, National Allergy Societies and EU and national policy makers to engage and act to coordinate actions to improve prevention and allergy and asthma care, as well as support the allocation of resources and the development of Allergy Speciality.

If patients in Europe were treated appropriately with available cost-effective treatments, savings of €142 billion each year could be made. A number of specific interventions can lead to prevention of allergy, especially of atopic dermatitis and food allergy. Two randomised open-label trials and a real-world setting trial indicated that allergy immunotherapy prevents the onset of asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis. However, more research needs to be carried out before advice can be given in clinical practice.

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