Asthma UK has brought together the knowledge and experience of scientists and people with asthma in an innovative report that sets out its research priorities.

’Shaping the Future of Asthma Research’ builds on the success of ’Medicine & Me: Asthma’, a symposium organised by Asthma UK that took place at the Royal Society of Medicine in April 2004, where 300 scientists, clinicians and people with asthma gathered to discuss key areas of asthma research.

The report, launched today (14 October) aims to continue this dialogue: Asthma UK experts hope that it will help demystify research for a lay audience as well as give scientists a better understanding of the concerns of people with asthma. The document should prove a valuable resource for scientists who wish to join Asthma UK’s research programme.

Cole Morton, one of the people featured in the report, talks about what it is like to live with asthma: ’It’s as if someone is pouring sand down your gullet and you feel your lungs slowly filling up, so you have less and less air to breathe, like you’re drowning in sand.’

Scientists and clinicians are keen to consider the issues that are important to people living with asthma every day when designing their research.

Susan Richards from Nottingham University expressed the view of many researchers: ’Carrying out research into asthma doesn’t mean you know the \"ins and outs\" of living with the condition. Speaking to people with asthma helped me to focus on what we are working towards in the lab.’

Asthma UK has committed more than 3 million on its programme of research this year. To ensure this money is spent most effectively it is essential that people with asthma and researchers share their knowledge and aspirations with each other and with Asthma UK.

’It is always a challenge to integrate the views of the public into the design and shape of research,’ said Philippa Major, Assistant Director of Research at Asthma UK. ’This new approach is an exciting way forward to ensure the research we fund really reflects the hopes and experiences of the people who live with asthma every day.’

Read ’Shaping the Future of Asthma Research’.

Read more about Asthma UK’s research strategy.

For advice and information on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline (08457 01 02 03) or email an asthma nurse specialist.