The global burden of chronic airway diseases
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2018
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Abstract
Hundreds of millions of people of all ages and in all countries of the world are affected by preventable chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). More than 50% of them live in low- and middle-income countries or deprived populations. A program within the World Health Organization (WHO) as Global Alliance against chronic respiratory diseases (GARD) has begun in 2005, with the aim of raising the recognition of the importance of CRDs as one of the most important health problems globally. GARD member countries develop activities against CRDs, which are conducted by their governments and supported by GARD when requested by the national health authorities. Activities have been initiated in more than 30 GARD countries in the areas of surveillance, prevention, management, and advocacy. GARD country projects vary in different countries according to the country-specific needs and the level of engagement of governmental health departments. This chapter evaluates the activities of GARD around the world and emphasizes over the gaps that are needed to be filled. © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.