BTS marks World Asthma Day for 2024

Today British Thoracic Society (BTS) marks World Asthma Day for 2024. Each May, this day is held to raise awareness of asthma prevention, management and treatment worldwide. This year’s focus is ‘Asthma Education Empowers: Information is Key.’

2024 also marks 10 years since the publication of the National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD) report that was led by the Royal College of Physicians. This report systematically reviewed asthma deaths in the UK for a 12-month period across 2012/2013, with the hope that growing understanding around these circumstances could be used to inform and improve clinical practice moving forward. Even after several avoidable mortality factors were identified as part of this report, significant reductions in asthma mortality rates have not resulted. Asthma attacks continue to kill an average of three individuals each day in the UK, with many of these deaths avoidable.

Asthma must remain a priority when it comes to improving respiratory health. BTS works to support respiratory professionals to improve health outcomes for people with asthma. Through the delivery of short courses, guidelines, quality standards, webinars, BTS is committed to ensuring that sufficient, up-to-date information is easily accessible to improve standards of care.

Further asthma resources are available on the Respiratory Futures website here.