World Asthma Day 2023: Asthma Care for all

Abstract

Abstract. In the world, there is an unequity between the prevalence of bronchial asthma (BA) and the level of medical care provided to patients. While significant progress has been made in the treatment of asthma in high-income countries, the greatest burden of morbidity and mortality from asthma is in low- and middle-income countries. This problem became the theme of World Asthma Day 2023. The aim: to study the peculiarities of the organization of the asthma patients treatment in low- and middle-income countries, including Ukraine. Materials and methods. National and international guidelines, as well as scientific articles on asthma management in low- and middle-income countries were analyzed according to the literature data. Results. Underdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of asthma are global problems in countries with limited resources. Challenges include the lack of asthma management guidelines and strategies at national levels, the lack of competent respiratory care professionals, and the lack or unavailability of necessary medications. Adapted for regions with limited resources, international guidelines for the management of asthma, offering a narrow choice of therapeutic approaches, cannot be implemented in some places due to the unavailability or high cost of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Obstacles in the way of providing medical care to patients with BA are cultural and religious features and in some places low literacy of the population. As for Ukraine, despite the status of a lower middle-income country, our health care system has adequate resources for the full treatment of the majority of BA patients. World Asthma Day’s efforts are aimed at drawing attention to the needs of people with asthma around the world, including those in low-income countries. An important aspect of this effort is to ensure that all patients with asthma, wherever they are, are treated and provided with care that meets the basic quality standard as outlined in the GINA Global Initiative for Asthma strategy. Conclusions. There is currently a global disparity in asthma patients’ access to appropriate treatment due to resource constraints, resulting in children, adolescents and adults suffering from severe and avoidable outcomes. International organizations contribute to the solution of this problem with various measures, one of which was Asthma Day 2023. Key words: World Asthma Day, asthma management, low- and middle-income countries.