1. GARD Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases WHO J Bousquet, R Dahl, N Khaltaev, HJ Bekedam

2. www.who.int/chp

3. GARD Launch Press Conference N Zhong (China): Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) are a major burden in China S Hurd (USA): The burden of CRD N Khaltaev (WHO): From the fragmented CRD programs to GARD J Bousquet (France): The GARD action plan M Boland (Ireland): Health promotion and CRD prevention J Walsh (USA): The patients expectations

4. J Bousquet - France The GARD Action Plan

5. Specific Objectives of GARD Build a stepwise and integrated program of prevention and control of CRD. Improve collaboration between the fragmented WHO and non-WHO programs. Increase awareness of CRD. Reduce the burden of CRD, and foster country- specific initiatives appropriate to local needs. Focus on developing countries and deprived populations.

6. Specific Objectives of GARD Availability and affordability of medications Provide appropriate training for health care personnel. Provide education to patients, care givers and families.

7. Comprehensive and integrated action is the means to prevent and control chronic diseases

8. Estimate population needs and advocate WG.1- Burden, risk factors and surveillance (G Viegi, S Buist, Y Fukuchi) WG.2- Awareness and advocacy (C Lenfant, A Turnbull, P van Cauwenberge)

9. Formulate and adopt policy WG.3- Prevention and health promotion (M Boland, A Custovic) WG.4- Diagnosis of CRD and allergy (K Rabe, S Wenzel) WG.5- Control of CRD and allergies, availability and affordability of drugs (J Bousquet, E Bateman, L Fabbri, C van Weel) WG.6- Pediatric asthma (C Baena-Cagnani, E Mantzouranis, FER Simons, E Valovirta)

10. Identify Policy Implementation Steps The GARD action plan should be applied at the country level. A national coordination group will: – Provide existing national statistics on CRD – Assess the specific needs for the given country – Review the GARD action plan – Determine the relevant issues for the country action plan – Develop a country-specific action plan