WORLD ASTHMA DAY
World Asthma Day is an annual event held on the first Tuesday in May, in collaboration with health care groups and asthma educators throughout the world. The day calls attention to the health issue and the struggles of asthma suffers. The goal is to improve asthma awareness and care around the world.
According to the World Health Organization, 300 million people suffer from asthma. It is a chronic disease of the airways that lead to and from the lungs. During an attack, the lining of the bronchial tubes swells, causing airways to become narrow and reducing the flow of air in and out of the lungs. These attacks can cause sleeplessness, fatigue, and reduced activity.
Symptoms vary from person to person and in intensity, but generally, those symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure. Asthma sufferers often have recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing. Symptoms may occur several times a day or week and may become worse during physical activity or during the night.
There is no known cure for asthma but the best treatment is to control the disease by working closely with a physician, taking medications and avoiding triggers.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Invite to your group or business, a respiratory therapist or other health professionals so they can update you on the latest knowledge in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Organize a hike for people with asthma and their friends, led by a health care provider who can educate the group about managing asthma in an outdoor environment.
Arrange school visits to educate children about asthma and offer on-the-spot peak flow meter testing.
Use #WorldAsthmaDay and #WAD to share on social media.
HISTORY
The first World Asthma Day, in 1998, was celebrated in more than 35 countries in conjunction with the first World Asthma Meeting held in Barcelona, Spain. Participation has increased with each World Asthma Day held since then, and the day has become one of the world’s most important asthma awareness and education events.
DATES
3 May 2022
2 May 2023
7 May 2024
6 May 2025
5 May 2026
4 May 2027
2 May 2028
1 May 2029
