Because asthma is a chronic condition, it usually requires continuous medical care. Medication is not the only way to control asthma. Each person must learn what triggers he or she should avoid. A preliminary objective is to obtain information on the association between childhood asthma and air pollution. GINA's goal is to build an active network with multiple organizations concerned with asthma to ensure better patient care world-wide.
Allergic rhinitis is defined as an allergen-induced inflammation of the membranes lining the nose.
Based on the time of exposure to the allergen, allergic rhinitis can be subdivided into perennial, seasonal or occupational disease. Underestimated up to now, allergic rhinitis is an important risk factor for asthma. One efficient way to prevent bronchial asthma is to control and treat allergic rhinitis from the very beginning of its inception. Generally speaking, ARIA will broaden the perspectives for primary prevention of bronchial asthma and will promote better understanding of bronchial asthma among physicians and patients. Better education and increased dialogue could avoid approximately 25,000 childhood deaths due to asthma each year For further information, journalists can contact the Office of Press and Public Relations, WHO, Geneva.