Air Liquide confirms its commitment towards patients

Air Liquide is renewing its support for the EFA (European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations) a year after the signature of a partnership agreement.

This Brussels-based organisation uniting national associations of patients suffering from respiratory diseases (22 countries represented, 500,000 members) aims to increase awareness of the needs of these patients at European level.

Air Liquide supports the efforts initiated by the EFA to inform and increase awareness of European public opinion and public authorities regarding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This under-diagnosed condition is a major public health issue. The prevalence of COPD varies in European countries from 4 to 10% of the adult population. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2030 COPD will be the third cause of mortality worldwide.

Air Liquide also supports EFA actions aimed at facilitating travel for patients on oxygen therapy, by for example harmonizing air transport conditions for patients on oxygen, which would make access to their treatment easier.

As a leader in medical gases and home healthcare, Air Liquide cares at home for nearly 200,000 patients treated with long-term oxygen therapy in Europe, working hard every day to improve their quality of life, especially by facilitating their mobility.