Lung health has taken a step forward on the EU political agenda. For the first time, the European Parliament’s Committee on Public Health (SANT) held a dedicated hearing on lung health, signalling growing recognition of its importance as a European public health priority.
The discussion focused on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), one of the most under-recognised and underdiagnosed chronic diseases in Europe. But it also addressed wider respiratory challenges, from air quality and tobacco exposure to prevention and early detection. For the European Lung Health Group (ELHG), this moment reflects our joint advocacy and offers a renewed opportunity to shape EU policy on lung health.
Two ELHG member organisations, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA), were invited to speak. Together they brought the perspectives of healthcare professionals and patients, representing the collective mission of the ELHG: to improve prevention, care and patient participation by advocating together for stronger EU action on lung health.
Karoly Illy (EFA Vice President) and Professor Didier Cataldo (ERS) at the hearing
Patients and healthcare professionals call for EU action on lung health
Professor Didier Cataldo, representing ERS, stressed the scale of the challenge. COPD is now the third leading cause of death globally, yet remains largely underdiagnosed in the EU. He urged policymakers to improve detection, increase investments in research, and support the development of national respiratory strategies.
Representing the COPD patient community, EFA Vice-President Károly Illy reminded MEPs of the life-limiting impact of COPD. “If current trends continue, COPD will affect 49 million people in the EU and cause 9% of all preventable deaths,” he said. “The EU must act now to ensure early diagnosis, fair access to care, and strong support systems for people living with the disease.”
SANT Committee hearing at the European Parliament
Policymakers show growing commitment to lung health
The hearing highlighted a broad range of lung health issues, including air pollution, tobacco and new nicotine products, health data use, and building standards for prevention of respiratory diseases. Calls were also made for a more integrated EU approach to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), recognising shared risk factors across conditions such as COPD, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
We warmly thank the MEP Lung Health Group members for their strong engagement and the important questions they raised during the hearing:
- MEP Tomislav Sokol (Croatia, EPP) addressed the impact of air pollution from combustion sources, including traffic, on respiratory disease development.
- MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis (Lithuania, S&D) called for holistic strategies to prevent and manage chronic diseases.
- MEP Andras Kulja (Hungary, EPP) emphasised the use of health data to improve early detection of COPD.
- MEP Romana Jerković (Croatia, S&D) chaired the meeting.
This strong contribution from the MEP Lung Health Group highlights their commitment to advancing lung health on the EU agenda.
The European Lung Health Group’s ongoing #KeepBreathing campaign supports these political efforts, advocating for coordinated EU leadership to improve prevention, diagnosis, care, and research for respiratory diseases. Together, the ELHG and the MEP Lung Health Group are working to ensure lung health remains a public health priority in Europe.
Watch the full recording of the debate here.
