Introduction
In low and middle-income countries, there is an increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases and asthma. Allergic diseases include anaphylaxis, food allergies, rhinitis conjunctivitis, angioedema, eosinophilic disorders, and drug and insect allergies. Asthma is a chronic lung disease, inflammation, and tightening of muscles around the airways, which makes it harder to breathe, affecting individuals of all ages. Asthma is often underdiagnosed and under-treated. When asthma is left untreated, individuals usually suffer from sleep disturbance, lethargy, and poor concentration. In severe cases of asthma, people may need emergency health care and be admitted to hospital. Asthma and allergic diseases cannot be cured but treated. The most common treatment is the use of an inhaler. Inhaler helps in delivering drugs directly to the lungs. There are two inhalers: bronchodilators, such as Salbutamol, and steroids, such as Beclomethasone. Various organizations help in the control of allergic diseases and asthma.
How Does the World Allergy Organisation Help Control Allergic Diseases and Asthma?
The World Allergy Organisation (WAO) published the White Book on Allergy in 2011. WAO is an international federation with members of allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology societies worldwide. This book summarizes the burden of allergic disease worldwide, its impact on the quality of life of individuals, various treatment strategies recommendations, etc. This book also explains in detail regarding education for health care professionals and individuals, training medical students to provide care for allergy patients after consulting the specialist, and environmental control measures by lowering indoor and outdoor air pollution, drug exposure, and tobacco smoking. It encourages a preventive approach to allergic diseases.
What Is the Response of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Asthma?
WHO's global action plan includes prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. The primary prevention of asthma is to reduce tobacco smoke exposure. WHO initiates MPOWER and m Tobacco Cessation for tobacco control. The Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) also contributes to preventing and controlling chronic respiratory diseases.
What Is the Mission of the Development of Health and Human Services?
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) 's mission is to improve individuals' health and well-being by providing effective health and human services. The six strategic goals of DHHS are:
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To reduce significant threats to the health and productivity of all individuals.
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To improve the social and economic status of all individuals.
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The quality of healthcare and human services should be improved.
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To improve the nation's public health system.
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Strengthen the nation's health service and increase its productivity.
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Improve access to health services and safety net programs.
The Department of Health and Human Services has invested in areas that include:
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To determine the cause of asthma and develop actions to prevent it.
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To reduce the difficulty for people who have asthma.
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Track the disease and check the intervention program available to assess the effectiveness of asthma.
How to Determine Cause and Prevention of Disease?
Primary prevention is the research to prevent asthma in an individual. Research needs to understand the cause of asthma and testing strategies to prevent its occurrence. It is necessary to understand the life origin of asthma, study gene-environment interactions, identify and investigate adult onset of asthma, and various test strategies for prevention.
How to Reduce the Burden of Asthma in an Individual?
It can be reduced in two ways: public health activities that promote the widespread use of current scientific knowledge and to improve the means of managing asthma by encouraging research. Healthcare providers should be guided with up-to-date asthma care. Educating individuals and expanding asthma control activities is essential, especially in community settings. There should be knowledge regarding what makes asthma persistent and severe and should be able to control the triggers of asthma and allergic responses.
How to Assess the Effectiveness of Asthma?
Surveillance data can identify high-risk populations and also the risk factors of disease. It also helps to assess the impact of public health programs. Current surveillance provides a national estimate of asthma. It is not possible to provide for the state or local level. Establishing coordinated and systematic local, state, and national systems for asthma surveillance and evaluating public health and health service interventions is essential.
What Is the National Asthma Education Programme?
For early detection, treatment, and management of asthma, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLB) launched the 'National Asthma Education Programme' in March 1989. This committee helps to plan program objectives, set goals, and disseminate information about asthma. The main aims of the program are:
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To bring awareness among health professionals and the public that asthma is a severe chronic disease.
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To ensure that the public recognizes the symptoms of asthma and that health professionals properly diagnose the disease.
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To encourage a partnership among health professionals and the public to promote effective control of asthma through treatment and education programs.
The coordinating committee has divided its effort into three major groups: school asthma education, professional education, and public education.
What Is Air Pollution and Asthma Exacerbation?
Studies have proven that air pollution contributes to the development of asthma. High air pollution will increase new-onset asthma. Air pollution is composed of a mixture of inert particles and irritating gasses. Bacterial constituents and pollen on innate immunity, which enhances an allergic response. The inhalation of endotoxin induces bronchospasm in those with or without asthma. Air pollution has exacerbated asthma on a population level and will impact individual patient health. Therefore, it is essential to reduce air pollution and adequately care for individuals with asthma.
What Is Vida Program for Control of Allergic Diseases and Asthma?
The primary objective of the VIDA program is to promote awareness among staff and students about allergic diseases and asthma, reduce the frequency of acute allergic exacerbation in school, and improve school students' knowledge regarding respiratory habits.
Conclusion
Efforts should be made to reduce the burden of allergic diseases and asthma, approach treatment to improve the quality of life of individuals, and various cost-effective, innovative treatment strategies. A holistic approach to treatment should prevent premature and unwanted deaths.
