European Respiratory Society

European Respiratory Society (ERS) is a non-profit organization with its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. It was established in 1990 with the aim of promoting respiratory health in order to alleviate suffering from disease and drive standards for respiratory medicine globally. The society is involved in research, education and advocacy in the field of respiratory medicine.

History[edit | edit source]

The European Respiratory Society was founded in 1990, following the merger of two existing societies, the Societas Europaea Physiologiae Clinicae Respiratoriae (SEPCR) and the European Society of Pneumology (ESP). The society has grown significantly since its inception, and now boasts a membership of over 35,000 healthcare professionals from more than 160 countries worldwide.

Activities[edit | edit source]

The ERS organizes an annual congress which is the largest meeting in the world in the field of respiratory medicine. The congress attracts thousands of delegates from around the world and features presentations on the latest research in respiratory medicine.

The society also publishes a number of scientific journals, including the European Respiratory Journal, the European Respiratory Review, and Breathe. These journals publish original research, reviews, and editorials in the field of respiratory medicine.

In addition to its congress and publications, the ERS also runs a number of educational programs. These include postgraduate courses, online learning resources, and a comprehensive examination in respiratory medicine.

Advocacy[edit | edit source]

The ERS is involved in advocacy work at both the European and global level. It works to raise awareness of respiratory diseases and to influence policy in areas such as tobacco control, air quality, and occupational health.