On February 4th and 5th, I hade the privilege to represent PHAEUROPE in two significant events at the European Parliament – the Healthy Lungs for Life exhibition and EFA’s event on raising standards of COPD care. These initiatives gathered policymakers, patient organizations, and healthcare professionals to emphasize the importance of lung health, prevention, early diagnosis, and stronger policies.

Healthy Lungs for Life: Raising Awareness Through Free Lung Tests

COPD event

At the Healthy Lungs for Life event, hosted by Lungs Europe in collaboration with the MEP Lung Health Group (ELHG), one of the main highlights was free spirometry tests to measure lung function. These tests were incredibly popular, with hundreds of people tested each day, including MEPs, EU staff, visitors and patient representatives.

As someone living with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), I also took the test. While my lung volume appeared normal, my results showed some obstruction in the amount of air I could exhale in one second – a result that is not surprising given my condition. However, it’s important to note that PH cannot be diagnosed by spirometry alone. A right heart catheterization is necessary for a PH diagnosis, though spirometry – especially when combined with a gas diffusion test – can indicate that something is wrong and requires further examination. Unfortunately, gas diffusion testing was not available at the Parliament event, but the awareness raised by these tests was invaluable. Those with abnormal results were advised to consult their doctors, an important step in early detection and intervention.

The event was a resounding success, bringing lung health to the forefront of EU policymaking. As part of ELHG, PHAEUROPE is proud to collaborate with organizations such as ERS, ELF, EFA, CF Europe, EU-PFF, Lung Cancer Europe, TB Europe Coalition, and Alpha-1 Europe Alliance to advocate for stronger policies and improved respiratory care.

COPD: A Personal and Global Concern

Healthy Lungs for Life campaign

On February 5th, I attended EFA’s conference on raising standards of COPD care. COPD is the third leading cause of death globally, and this event emphasized the urgent need for prevention, early diagnosis, access to proper treatment, and stronger policies.

For PHAEUROPE, advocating for improved respiratory care is essential. While PH and COPD are different conditions, they share overlapping symptoms, and many PH patients also experience coexisting lung diseases. Raising awareness for these lung diseases is important, as early diagnosis is important, but often not a reality.

On a personal level, issues related to COPD is especially close to my heart – my father passed away from COPD, which makes working towards better prevention and treatment a deeply personal mission for me.

The event featured valuable discussions from policymakers and experts, including MEPs Romana Jerković, András Kulja, and Tilly Metz, as well as Marcia Podestà, Paula Duarte, Svetlana Atanasova, and Dr. Sarah-Taïssir Bencharif. They highlighted the crucial role of prevention, particularly in addressing smoking and vaping, which remain the leading causes of COPD. Stronger regulations, increased public awareness, and better patient support systems are essential in combating this growing health crisis.

PHAEUROPE’s Commitment to Lung Health

Healthy Lungs for Life campaign

As an active member of the European Lung Health Group (ELHG), PHAEUROPE remains dedicated to advocating for better respiratory health, stronger policies, increased awareness, and prevention. Our participation in these two events reinforced the need for early detection, access to proper treatment, and long-term strategies to improve lung health across Europe.

From the success of the Healthy Lungs for Life lung function tests to the crucial discussions on COPD care, it is clear that more work remains to prioritize lung health in EU policymaking. PHAEUROPE will continue working with policymakers, healthcare professionals, and patient organizations to ensure that everyone in Europe has access to the best possible lung health care.

We extend our gratitude to our partners, event organizers, and all those who participated. Together, we are making a difference in ensuring better lung health for everyone.

📌 Learn more about the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign: https://europeanlung.org/en/projects-and-campaigns/healthy-lungs-for-life/

📌 Learn more about the COPD event and EFA’s essential work: https://copd.efanet.org

Hall Skaara
Project Manager, PHAEUROPE
Norway, February 6th 2025