Interview with prof. dr hab. med. Elżbieta Piontek from the Pediatric Clinic of the Children's Health Center
and Elżbieta Łata, Director of the Department of Health Promotion and Health Education in the Main Sanitary Inspectorate
Are allergic diseases and asthma a big problem?
Professor Elżbieta Piontek: Yes, more and more. Only in the 80s of the last century, the number of reported cases of allergic asthma doubled. It is estimated that in 2020 people with allergy characteristics will be more than healthy people. Children are especially at risk. in school age.
What problems can children of school-aged asthmatics encounter?
Professor E.P .: Bronchial asthma significantly changes the quality of life of a child and is often a serious cause of school absence. Incorrect treatment affects the child's inferior physical fitness and getting lower grades in the w-f lesson. Asthma also makes it difficult for the family to exist. Mother often gives up her job to look after a child. As a result, financial problems arise. It should be noted that early diagnosis and proper treatment of asthma can avoid these problems. Thanks to the therapy, the child can lead a lifestyle like his healthy peers, participate in sports activities and play sports. Hence the fight for early diagnosis of asthma and its proper treatment.
Are you involved in the implementation of the new program "Freedom of Breath-Prevent Asthma", could you please bring closer the goals of this campaign?
Professor E.P .: The aim of the program is to educate the school environment in the field of prevention of allergic diseases and asthma, as well as early identification of children at risk of developing asthma and avoiding its consequences.
Who is the organizer of the program?
Elżbieta Łata: The program was initiated by the State Sanitary Inspection. It is implemented by specialists in health education and health promotion from sanitary and epidemiological stations in cooperation with the Polish Allergy Society, the Polish Society for Health Education, and a National Consultant in the field of pediatrics.
What is the purpose of the program?
Professor E.P .: The aim of our activity is early identification of children at risk of developing bronchial asthma and prevention of the development of a full-blown disease.
E.Ł .: I think that this program will contribute to reducing the occurrence of asthma in children in Poland.
