Health alliance calls for global efforts on chronic respiratory diseases

BEIJING, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Health organizations have issued a declaration in Beijing calling for global efforts to deal with chronic respiratory diseases and promote lung health.

The declaration was issued at a meeting of the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases, which was held in Beijing from Oct. 26 to 27.

The declaration, which was jointly drafted and published by the World Health Organization in cooperation with the alliance and relevant academic organizations, is a global strategy and measure to prevent and treat respiratory diseases, according to Dr. Nikolai Khaltaev, chairman of the alliance.

It will guide the global work on preventing and treating respiratory diseases and is of great significance, Dr. Khaltaev said.

China is among the most affected countries of chronic respiratory diseases and should play a leading role in preventing and controlling the diseases, said Wang Chen, president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

The declaration called for efforts to strengthen primary health care, support research and step up collaboration between governments and the private sector.

China has been promoting the Healthy China initiative, which highlighted the importance of preventing and treating chronic respiratory diseases.