Founded in 1990, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) is a nonprofit making, international medical organisation with over 7,000 members from 100 countries. It is the biggest society in Europe in its field.
The aim of the ERS is to promote and improve lung health in Europe through research, education and advocacy.
ERS Congress
The ERS Congress is Europe's biggest annual scientific gathering in respiratory medicine, with an attendance of over 16,000 delegates. This event provides a platform for important improvements in the treatment of lung diseases. In 2011, the ERS will meet in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, from 24 to 28 September 2011.
Publications
The ERS produces a number of publications for scientists, doctors and health providers in Europe to keep them up to date on the latest research and developments in lung health and disease treatments:
- European Respiratory Journal
- European Respiratory Monograph
- European Respiratory Review
- Breathe
- Buyers' Guide
- ERS Newsletter
ERS School
The ERS School is involved in educating doctors across Europe on the best treatment strategies for lung disease and also provides financial assistance for scientists researching new treatments for lung diseases
- Encouraging new initiatives
- Producing guidelines
- Organising numerous postgraduate courses
- Developing joint documents with international societies
- Showing a genuine commitment to continuing medical education
- Actively developing e-learning programmes
- Sponsoring task forces and seminars
Breathe is the official educational journal of the ERS school.
Fellowships
The ERS offers training and research fellowships. These fellowships provide money for those involved in research related to lung health.
Collaboration with Central & Eastern Europe
The ERS supports the further development of lung health in Central and Eastern European Countries. More than 200 physicians and scientists from these countries are given support to attend the annual congress.
Advocacy
The ERS is actively involved in lobbying governments, grant agencies and political bodies to provide better lung health in Europe. A recent success was the launch of the:
- European Lung White Book
This publication was officially launched on November 25, 2003 at the European Parliament in Brussels and was produced in conjunction with the European Lung Foundation (ELF). It provides the first comprehensive survey on respiratory health in Europe. It is also available in an abbreviated version:
- Lung Health in Europe – Facts and figures
The abbreviated version is also available in French, Dutch, Russian, German, Polish, Spanish and Italian.