Integrated care pathways for airway diseases (AIRWAYS-ICPs) European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing, Action Plan B3 Mechanisms of the Development of Allergy (MeDALL, WP10) GARD (Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases, WHO) research demonstration project

The objective of Integrated Care Pathways for Airway Diseases (AIRWAYS-ICPs) is to launch a collaboration to develop multi-sector care pathways for chronic respiratory diseases in European countries and regions. AIRWAYS-ICPs has strategic relevance to the European Union Health Strategy and will add value to existing public health knowledge by: 1) proposing a common framework of care pathways for chronic respiratory diseases, which will facilitate comparability and trans-national initiatives; 2) informing cost-effective policy development, strengthening in particular those on smoking and environment exposure; 3) aiding risk stratification in chronic disease patients, using a common strategy; 4) having a significant impact on the health of citizens in the short term (reduction of morbidity, improvement of education in children and of work in adults) and in the long-term (healthy ageing); 5) proposing a common simulation tool to assist physicians; and 6) ultimately reducing the healthcare burden (emergency visits, avoidable hospitalisations, disability and costs) while improving quality of life. In the longer term, the incidence of disease may be reduced by innovative prevention strategies. AIRWAYS-ICPs was initiated by Area 5 of the Action Plan B3 of the European Innovative Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. All stakeholders are involved (health and social care, patients, and policy makers). European Respiratory Journal erj00146-2014.3d 17/4/14 10:01:30 The Charlesworth Group, Wakefield +44(0)1924 369598 Rev 7.51n/W (Jan 2