Assets and needs of respiratory patient organizations: differences between developed and developing countries

The worldwide burden of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) is alarming. 63% of deaths are caused by Non Communicable Diseases (NCD). 80% of these global deaths are in the low and middle income countries. 90% percent of death from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is in the developing countries according to WHO Global Status of Chronic Diseases 2010 (1). We must increase our efforts to deal with CRDs worldwide and especially in developing countries!