The Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) is a global network of stakeholders with a vision of “a world where all people breathe freely”.

GARD was launched in 2006, in response to a World Health Assembly resolution (WHA53.17), calling for prioritization of the prevention and control of chronic diseases, with special emphasis on developing countries.

GARD members work together with WHO to accelerate progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

The most common chronic respiratory diseases are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Approximately half a billion people live with asthma and COPD and together these 2 conditions cause almost 4 million deaths every year. More than 1 million of these deaths occur “prematurely” – in people aged under 70 years. Ninety per cent (90%) of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Members of the GARD network are committed to reduce the global burden of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), focusing on low- and middle-income countries. Through advocacy and collaborative networking, members are working to ensure all people with asthma and COPD receive a timely diagnosis and can access effective care, and to reduce exposure to risk factors such as tobacco smoke and air pollution. GARD members may be working at local, national, regional or international level.

The priorities of GARD and WHO are closely aligned and guided by the WHO General Programme of Work and the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013–2030.

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