World Asthma Day observed on 5 May 2026

Key facts

• World Asthma Day 2026 was observed on 5 May with the theme Access to anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma - still an urgent need.
• The event is organised by The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in collaboration with professional and patient organisations to raise awareness of asthma and asthma treatment.
• Asthma affects over 360 million people worldwide and caused 442,000 deaths in 2023, with 96% of global asthma deaths occurring in low-middle income countries.
• The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) implements the Asthma Right Care change programme, which includes practical tools such as the Reliever Reliance Test and the short-acting beta2 agonists (SABA) Slide Rule.
• Since January 2025, npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine has served as the official journal of the IPCRG, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases, José Luis Castro.