Increasing awareness, diagnosis and treatment of aspergillosis
Plan:
ELF • Aspergillosis Trust • National Aspergillosis Centre
Year 1 – Core Message & Priorities
1. Our Core Message (consistent across all work)
Chronic aspergillosis is under-recognised, under-diagnosed, and often misunderstood.
Conditions such as chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), ABPA, and Aspergillus bronchitis cause long-term illness, reduced quality of life, and repeated misdiagnosis as asthma, COPD, TB scarring, or recurrent infections.
But with earlier recognition, better awareness, and timely referral to specialist centres, patients can receive the right investigations and treatment sooner.
Our collaboration exists to:
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Raise awareness among respiratory, infectious diseases, radiology, TB, primary care, and severe asthma teams.
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Support and empower patients globally.
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Reduce diagnostic delay and variation in care.
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Promote equitable access to expertise and specialist services.
Together, we will deliver clear, evidence-based messages — consistently.
2. Year 1 Priorities (simple, achievable, high impact)
A. Two international webinars
1️⃣ Clinical webinar:
“Recognising Chronic Aspergillosis Early – What Clinicians Miss”
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For Respiratory, ID, Radiology, TB, Primary Care, Severe Asthma
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Practical, case-based, referral-focused
2️⃣ Patient webinar:
“Living With Aspergillosis – Voices, Support, Self-Management, Challenges”
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Co-produced with global patients
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Focus on daily impact and empowerment
B. Three shared supporting outputs
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A clinician one-page referral tool
Simple red flags, when to test, and when to refer. -
A patient-friendly explainer
Clear language summarising CPA, ABPA, Aspergillus bronchitis, and treatment expectations. -
A shared slide (one single graphic)
Used by all three organisations to reinforce the same message in every talk, webinar, and social post.
3. Roles and strengths (clear and complementary)
National Aspergillosis Centre (NAC)
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Clinical expertise, data, pathways
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Case examples and specialist content
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Professional networks in mycology & respiratory
Aspergillosis Trust
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Patient voice, lived experience
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Social media reach, community engagement
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Story collection and patient involvement
European Lung Foundation (ELF)
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European visibility and advocacy
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Links to ERS, PAGs, and clinician networks
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Event hosting and dissemination
4. First step (simple, visible, confidence-building)
Agree and circulate a joint “save the date” for Webinar 1.
This creates momentum, signals intent, and provides a focal point for the collaboration.
5. Our guiding principle for the year
Clear, consistent, and one step at a time.
Small, well-delivered actions will build a strong, sustainable programme.