Asthma and COVID-19: scientific brief
Publication date: 2021
People with asthma (PWA) generally are considered at higher risk from respiratory infections, as is seen annually with influenza. At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, PWA were widely assumed to be at increased risk from COVID-19. However, as data emerged throughout 2020, the association between asthma and COVID-19 appeared less clear. A rapid systematic review was undertaken to inform this scientific brief. The review set out to assess the available peer-reviewed literature regarding whether PWA are at increased risk of infection with the virus that causes COVID-19, and/or of experiencing complications or death.
Mobile Health for Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Disease (mBreatheFreely)
Publication date: 2018
The use of mobile technology including short message service (SMS), mobile phone applications (apps), and telemedicine is increasingly considered as a way to improve access to prevention, diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. As a result, mHealth is increasingly promoted as a strategy to support self-management of both asthma and COPD. The mBreatheFreely programme was designed as a population-based programme that uses mHealth to provide health information and support to people living with asthma and COPD. The main target populations are persons with asthma or COPD (diagnosed and undiagnosed), persons with risk factors for asthma or COPD (e.g., smoking, biomass smoke exposure), health care workers, and caregivers (e.g., parents of children) of persons with asthma or COPD.