Alpha-1 Foundation Ireland

20/08/2026

💪

🫁 Europe needs a 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻.​

Respiratory diseases affect millions of people across Europe, yet lung health still lacks the coordinated political action it deserves.​

A comprehensive plan should be built on five key pillars:​
✅ Prevention – Reduce exposure to risk factors such as air pollution, to***co and unhealthy environments.​
🔍 Earlier diagnosis – Ensure timely diagnosis through better access to lung function testing, primary care and clear care pathways.​
💙 Access to treatment & long-term care – Guarantee equitable access to medicines, rehabilitation, follow-up care and patient support across Europe.​
💶 Investment – Match the burden of respiratory diseases with sustained funding for research, innovation, implementation and patient organisations.​
🤝 Patient involvement – Put patients and patient organisations at the heart of shaping, implementing and monitoring lung health policies.​

Everyone deserves the opportunity to breathe better. It's time to give lung health the political priority it deserves.​

19/08/2026

Alpha-1 can't be diagnosed by symptoms or a medical exam alone; you need a blood test to know for sure. If you suspect you or a family member may have Alpha-1, discuss with a doctor whether testing is appropriate. To learn more about testing options, please visit: https://alpha1.org/testing-diagnosis/

17/08/2026

Discover the genetic factors leading to Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and how they affect liver and lung health.

12/08/2026

Research Ireland is inviting people across Ireland to take part in the Research in Ireland Barometer 2026. This national project is exploring how people experience research in everyday life. The hope is that this survey reaches as many people as possible to ensure that all voices are heard - and research policies and programmes benefit. The survey takes approximately 10-12 minutes to complete and is open to anyone aged 16 or over living in Ireland. Research Ireland are particularly interested in hearing from people whose voices are not always included in research and public discussions - such as people diagnosed with a rare condition like . To take part in the survey, click on the link below. Rare Diseases Ireland

The Research in Ireland Barometer 2026 is a national project designed to understand how people across Ireland experience research in their everyday lives. Building on previous work, the 2026 Barometer introduces a more qualitative, community‑engaged approach that captures lived experience and broa...

28/07/2026

SAVE THE DATE!

The Annual Alpha-1 Patient and Family Conference for 2026 will take place on Saturday, October 17th in Marino Institute of Education in Drumcondra in Dublin. We would love to see you there.

Agenda to follow in the coming weeks. In the meantime, why not check out a report on our 2025 conference here: https://www.alpha1.ie/alpha-1-patient-family-conference.../

27/07/2026

An excellent new website about all kinds of lung problems from the International Respiratory Coalition, including this excellent page on

Access the latest data on alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in this open-access resource from the International Respiratory Coalition.

03/07/2026

02/07/2026

For an excellent explanation of bronchiectasis, check out this video from Mary Ryan.