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A worldwide charter for all children with asthma
Stanley J Szefler1, Dominic A Fitzgerald2,3, Yuichi Adachi4
1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Pediatric Asthma Research Program, Anschutz Medical Campus, Breathing Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.
Insights
Childhood asthma affects children globally, requiring improved diagnosis and management beyond guidelines. A worldwide charter focusing on education, basic medications, and community involvement can enhance care and outcomes for all children with asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Global Health
- Health Policy
Background:
- Childhood asthma represents a significant global health challenge.
- Current diagnosis and management strategies show unsatisfactory global progress.
- Existing evidence-based guidelines are insufficient without supplementary support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a worldwide charter for childhood asthma management.
- To outline a roadmap for improved education, training, and access to care.
- To advocate for policy changes and community involvement.
Main Methods:
- Development of a comprehensive worldwide charter for childhood asthma.
- Focus on adaptable education and training programs.
- Emphasis on access to essential asthma medications.
Main Results:
- Implementation of the charter can lead to reduced overall healthcare costs.
- Significant improvement in the health and life chances of children with asthma.
- Success hinges on community engagement and the development of local asthma champions.
Conclusions:
- A worldwide charter, supported by governments and healthcare services, is crucial for improving childhood asthma care.
- Accessible basic medications and community involvement are key to effective implementation.
- The initiative aims to enhance global health outcomes for children with asthma.
Abstract:
Childhood asthma is a huge global health burden. The spectrum of disease, diagnosis, and management vary depending on where children live in the world and how their community can care for them. Global improvement in diagnosis and management has been unsatisfactory, despite ever more evidence-based guidelines. Guidelines alone are insufficient and need supplementing by government support, changes in policy, access to diagnosis and effective therapy for all children, with research to improve implementation. We propose a worldwide charter for all children with asthma, a roadmap to better education and training which can be adapted for local use. It includes access to effective basic asthma medications. It is not about new expensive medications and biologics as much can be achieved without these. If implemented carefully, the overall cost of care is likely to fall and the global future health and life chance of children with asthma will greatly improve. The key to success will be community involvement together with the local and national development of asthma champions. We call on governments, institutions, and healthcare services to support its implementation.
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