Asia Pac Allergy.  2012 Oct;2(4):275-279. 10.5415/apallergy.2012.2.4.275.

The Finnish Allergy Programme 2008-2018 - scientific rationale and practical implementation

• Haahtela T
• Valovirta
• Kauppi P
• Tommila E
• Saarinen K
• von Hertzen L
• Mäkelä M
• The Finnish Allergy Programme Group

• KMID: 2397445
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2012.2.4.275

Abstract

There are no nationwide, comprehensive public health programmes on allergic disorders with set goals and systematic follow-up. The Finnish initiative is based on the idea that the so called allergy epidemic in modern, urban societies is caused by inadequately developed or broken tolerance. The immune system is not trained to make the difference between danger and non-danger (allergy) or the difference between self and non-self (autoimmune diseases). The immune dysfunction leads to inappropriate inflammatory responses and clinical symptoms. The 10-year implementation programme is aimed to reduce burden of allergies both at the individual and societal levels. This is done by increasing both immunological and psychological tolerance and changing attitudes to support health instead of medicalising common and mild allergy symptoms. Severe forms of allergy are in special focus, e.g. asthma attacks are prevented proactively by improving disease control with the help of guided self-management. Networking of allergy experts with primary care doctors and nurses as well with pharmacists is the key for effective implementation. Non-governmental organizations have started a campaign to increase allergy awareness and knowledge among patients and general public. It is time to act, when allergic individuals are becoming a majority of Western populations and their numbers are in rapid increase worldwide. The first results of the Finnish Programme indicate that allergy burden can be reduced with relatively simple means.

Keyword

Allergy programme; Asthma attack; Immune tolerance; Public health programme; Self-management

MeSH Terms

Asthma
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hypersensitivity*
Immune System
Immune Tolerance
Pharmacists
Primary Health Care
Public Health
Self Care

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The allergy umbrella.

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  Fig. 2 The key messages of the Finnish Allergy Programme 2008-2018.

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  Fig. 3 Guided self-management in adult asthma. Key questions for the professionals to find out disease control (left). Key points for the patient to notice symptom increase and stop exacerbation proactively (right).

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  Fig. 4 Practical advice for professionals to help the patient to build-up and improve immune tolerance and prevent and treat inflammation.

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