World Health: Respiratory diseases affect half a billion people in the world

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), affect nearly half a billion people worldwide, the World Health Organization said.

She added, these diseases are among the main causes of death and disability, as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the third leading cause of death in the world, and in 2019, 3.2 million people died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 500,000 died from asthma, despite its great impact, These diseases are often overlooked in global health discussions, lacking the necessary recognition and resources.

With his deep experience and long-standing commitment to improving global health, Professor José Luis Castro has been appointed Special Envoy of the WHO Director-General on Chronic Respiratory Diseases. Castro is uniquely positioned to support our efforts in tackling chronic respiratory diseases, and his leadership will be instrumental in raising awareness and mobilizing Support and implement effective solutions to improve respiratory health around the world.

For his part, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said that the World Health Organization’s work in the field of chronic respiratory diseases focuses on integrating the diagnosis and management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease into primary health care, while highlighting tobacco smoke and air pollution, And infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, as risks to lung health, and Castro's appointment aims to support the World Health Organization by highlighting the importance of respiratory health.

As a special envoy.

Castro will:

1. Raise awareness and promote solutions, highlight issues of chronic respiratory diseases and support WHO strategies to address them, and engage global and local support, by encouraging cities, countries and stakeholders to integrate respiratory health into local health policies.

2. Support and finance WHO initiatives, by strengthening the WHO CRD programme, supporting the integration of CRD into primary health care, and seeking increased investment from governments and donors; Promoting public participation and advocacy, through collaboration with the media, governments and organizations to raise awareness and disseminate WHO health messages.

“I am deeply honored to serve as the WHO Director-General’s Special Envoy for Human Rights and Democracy,” José Luis Castro added. “With an unwavering dedication to improving public health and a vision for global cooperation, I am eager to work alongside WHO and its partners to raise the importance of public health.” "The respiratory system is on the global agenda, and together we will strive to ensure that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to breathe freely and live a healthy life."

Castro's appointment demonstrates WHO's commitment to prioritizing respiratory health. His efforts will support WHO in shaping policies, building partnerships and advancing action to improve the health of people around the world. Castro will begin his position on September 1, 2024, joining other distinguished special envoys such as Sir Liam Donaldson, Special Envoy of the WHO Director-General on Patient Safety, and Dr Vanessa Kerry, Special Envoy of the WHO Director-General on Climate Change and Health.