World Asthma Day is observed every year on the first Tuesday of May. This year it falls on May 4. The day is organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in collaboration with health care groups and asthma educators, to spread awareness and care around the world.
Theme for the year 2021: “Uncovering Asthma Misconceptions”.
Key Points:
i.The first World Asthma Day was celebrated in 1998 in more than 35 countries.The first World Asthma Meeting was held in Barcelona, Spain.
ii.Asthma,chronic disease which hinders the respiratory system, causing difficulty in breathing affects about 1.5 to 2 crore people around the world.
iii.As per the WHO(World Healh Organisation) about 80 percent of asthma deaths occur in low and lower income countries.Atleast 1 in every 10 asthma patients live in India.
Symptoms:
- Breathlessness
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Feeling of tightness in chest
Although asthma cannot be cured, it is possible to manage asthma to reduce and prevent asthma attacks, also called episodes or exacerbations.
About Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA):
GINA was launched in1993 in collaboration with the National Heart,Lung and Blood Institute(NHLBI),National Institute of Health,USA and the World Health Organisation.
