Asthma UK

Asthma UK
source
Name	Asthma UK
Type	Charity
Founded	1927
Headquarters	London
Region served	United Kingdom
Focus	Respiratory health, patient support, research funding

Asthma UK is a United Kingdom-based charity dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by asthma through research, support, advocacy, and information. Founded in 1927, the organization has developed clinical services, funded scientific studies, and led public campaigns to reduce asthma morbidity and mortality. It works with hospitals, universities, policy-makers, and patient groups to translate research into practice and to promote awareness of respiratory health.

History

Asthma UK traces its roots to early 20th-century efforts to address respiratory disease, aligning with institutions such as Royal Brompton Hospital, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, and University of London researchers. Over decades the charity interacted with bodies including NHS England, Public Health England, Department of Health and Social Care (United Kingdom), and professional colleges like the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of General Practitioners to influence clinical practice. Key historical milestones involved partnerships with academic centres such as Imperial College London, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and research funders like the Wellcome Trust. The organization engaged with patient advocates connected to groups including British Lung Foundation and campaigns resonating with public figures associated with House of Commons debates and local authorities across London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow.

Mission and Activities

Asthma UK's mission emphasizes improving diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life through research funding, education, and advocacy. It organizes clinical guideline dissemination in collaboration with bodies such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and health commissioners in Northern Ireland. Activities span producing patient information co-developed with clinicians at St Thomas' Hospital, training initiatives referencing standards from British Thoracic Society, and media outreach through outlets like the BBC, The Guardian, and The Times. The charity also engages with professional conferences at venues including the Royal Society and universities such as University College London.

Research and Funding

Asthma UK funds basic, translational, and clinical research at institutions such as University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, Queen Mary University of London, Cardiff University, and University of Southampton. Major grants have supported projects involving collaborators from MRC (United Kingdom) and trials overseen by committees linked to ClinicalTrials.gov registries and ethics boards at hospitals such as Leeds General Infirmary and Addenbrooke's Hospital. The charity has contributed to studies on biologic therapies related to research centres including UK Biobank and data partnerships involving the Office for National Statistics. Funding priorities often reference guidance from organizations such as the European Respiratory Society and the American Thoracic Society.

Campaigns and Advocacy

Asthma UK has led national campaigns addressing issues like indoor air quality, emergency care, and access to medicines in coordination with stakeholders such as London Assembly, UK Parliament, National Audit Office, and patient groups represented in the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Respiratory Health. Campaign themes intersect with policy arenas involving Environmental Protection UK, Clean Air Fund, and regulatory work by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. High-profile advocacy engaged civic actors including members of the House of Lords, local MPs, and media personalities featured on platforms like Channel 4 and Sky News to press for measures that reflect clinical recommendations from the National Asthma and COPD Audit Programme.

Services and Support Programs

The charity delivers helplines, digital resources, and community programs co-produced with clinical teams at centres like Royal Victoria Hospital (Belfast), Liverpool University Hospitals, and Southampton General Hospital. Support services include self-management education drawing on guidance from NICE and practical toolkits used by school nurses in local education authorities such as City of London Corporation and municipal services across Leeds and Sheffield. Asthma UK's resources complement services from charities including Shelter (charity), Age UK, and patient networks connected to universities and NHS Trusts.

Governance and Organization

Asthma UK's governance involves a board of trustees and executive leadership interacting with regulators such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales and accounting standards referenced by bodies like Companies House. The organization collaborates with health commissioners, clinical commissioning groups formerly overseen by entities like the Care Quality Commission, and auditors who liaise with financial institutions including Barclays and funding partners such as the National Lottery Community Fund. Senior staff engage with academic advisory panels from universities including Keele University and University of Nottingham.

Partnerships and International Work

Internationally, Asthma UK partners with research networks and advocacy organizations such as the Global Initiative for Asthma, World Health Organization, European Lung Foundation, and charities in Europe and beyond including European Respiratory Society affiliates, NGOs linked to the United Nations, and academic collaborators at Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, and Karolinska Institutet. Multinational projects have involved data sharing with consortia like COPDGene and collaborative funding from foundations including Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust to address disparities in respiratory care across regions including Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and European Union member states.

Category:Health charities based in the United Kingdom