World Asthma Day: Why Raising Awareness for Asthma is Still Necessary

A global initiative with local impact

The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) launched the first World Asthma Day in 1998. Since then, it has been observed annually on the first Tuesday of May to highlight asthma, a chronic respiratory condition that affects millions globally. Each year, a theme is chosen to reflect the current situation. This year’s focus highlights that proper care and guidance are still not guaranteed—even in countries with advanced healthcare systems.  

Asthma by the numbers: A widespread health issue

The statistics illustrate the prevalence of asthma: 

• Over 260 million people worldwide live with asthma. 
• In Europe, more than 30 million people are affected, including many adults. 
• In Spain, approximately 3 million people have asthma, representing 5 to 7% of the population. 

Although many individuals with asthma can lead relatively normal lives, significant disparities exist in how well symptoms are managed.  

Why proper control often falls short

Effective asthma control involves experiencing minimal or no symptoms, maintaining an active lifestyle, and needing little to no emergency medication. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for many people. GINA identifies several contributing factors: 

• Lack of knowledge regarding the correct use of inhalation medication. 
• Low awareness of the disease, particularly with mild or fluctuating symptoms. 
• Barriers to accessing care, such as long waiting times or insufficient guidance. 
• Environmental factors that are difficult to manage, such as exposure to smoke, air pollution, or damp living conditions, which can hinder asthma management even with appropriate treatment. 

GINA advocates for healthcare providers to address not only the symptoms but also the underlying airway inflammation and to provide tailored education.  

International disparities in treatment and education

Globally, there are significant differences in asthma treatment and education. In some countries, modern inhalation medications and educational resources are readily available. In others, access to basic care is limited, leading to severe consequences such as: 

• Increased hospital admissions 
• Higher disease burden 
• More severe asthma attacks 
• In some cases, preventable deaths 

Even within Europe, disparities are evident. For example, in Germany, asthma care is relatively well-organised, with broad access to specialised pulmonologists and inhalation medications. However, certain groups still receive insufficient guidance due to language barriers, limited health literacy, or socioeconomic factors.  

What can you do?

Awareness is the first step towards better control and treatment. These tips can help: 

• Recognise symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chronic coughing. 
• Always discuss symptoms with a doctor, even if they appear temporary. 
• Use medications as prescribed and seek clarification if unsure. 
• Schedule an annual check-up to adjust treatment as needed. 
• Avoid triggers such as smoke, dust mites, or air pollution whenever possible.  

Conclusion: Awareness remains essential

Asthma is a chronic condition with a significant impact that is often underestimated. World Asthma Day serves as a reminder that proper care, clear information, and equal access are still not guaranteed. However, with collective effort and increased awareness, we can make a difference for millions of people worldwide.  

Together with Dokteronline, we can help you find the right path tailored to your specific situation.