Introduction: Asthma and COPD are a growing and evolving global health emergency affecting people from all countries, socioeconomic statuses, and age groups.

Method: To address these issues in 2022 the WHO convened a stakeholder meeting to develop key messages to improve outcomes for people living with chronic respiratory diseases in low- and middle-income countries. The participants had affiliations to well-established global respiratory organisations and networks and included academics, clinicians, nurses, pharmacists and people living with chronic respiratory diseases.

Results: ICRN's objectives are organizing specific training educational programs in the field of Asthma and COPD that will be available to nurses in low- and middle-income countries. ICRN highly recommends that future steps need to be invested in the education of respiratory specialist nurses, which can play an important role in supporting prevention, and improvements in care in patients with Asthma and COPD.

Conclusion: ICRN recognizes the significant burden of asthma and COPD across all sectors and supports the need to make asthma and COPD a public health priority and supports the aim of global equity with access to appropriate asthma and COPD diagnosis and care.

References:

1. Stolz D, Mkorombindo T, Schumann DM, et al. Towards the elimination of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a Lancet Commission. Lancet. 2022;400(10356):921-972.

2. Rylance S, Bateman ED, Boulet L, et al. Key messages and partnerships to raise awareness and improve outcomes for people with asthma and COPD in low- and middle-income countries. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2022;26(12):1106-1108.