ABSTRACT
In Finland, a comprehensive and nationwide Asthma Programme 1994–2004 was undertaken to improve asthma care and prevent the predicted increase in costs. The main goal was to lessen the burden of asthma on individuals and society. The program has been a success, which is attributed to early diagnosis, active anti-inflammatory treatment from the outset of disease, guided self-management, and effective networking with general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and nongovernmental organization (NGO) patient advocates (i.e., patient associations). The Finnish experience demonstrated that careful planning and simple interventions (i.e., defined goals and systematic follow-up), over a relatively short period of time, significantly reduced patient morbidity and the economic burden associated with asthma on society. The proper management of asthma involves all stakeholders, not just the patient. Most of the suffering due to asthma is unnecessary and considerable cost savings can be obtained if the best clinical practices are implemented in a systematic way. However, reducing the incidence of asthma remains a challenge. In the footsteps of the Asthma Programme, a new Allergy Programme 2008–2018 is being implemented in Finland to extend the benefits of the Asthma Programme to other allergic conditions. The preliminary outcomes of this program, the purpose of which is to increase immunological tolerance by promoting both primary and secondary prevention, appear promising.
