Asthma is a serious global health problem. People of all ages in countries throughout the world are affected by this chronic airway disorder that can be severe and sometimes fatal. The prevalence of asthma is increasing everywhere, especially among children. Asthma is a significant burden, not only in terms of health care costs but also of lost productivity and reduced participation in family life.

During the past two decades, we have witnessed many scientific advances that have improved our understanding of asthma and our ability to manage it effectively. However, the diversity of national health care service systems and variations in the availability of asthma therapies require that recommendations for asthma care be adapted to local conditions throughout the global community. In addition, public health officials require information about the costs of asthma care, how to effectively manage this chronic disease, and best education methods in order to develop asthma care services and programs responsive to the particular needs and circumstances within their countries.

Accordingly, in 1993, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute collaborated with the World Health Organization to convene a workshop that led to the Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, a Workshop Report that presented a comprehensive plan to manage asthma with the goal of reducing chronic disability and premature deaths while allowing patients with asthma to lead productive and fulfilling lives.

At the same time, a program called the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) was implemented to develop a network of individuals, organizations, and public health officials to disseminate information about the care of patients with asthma while at the same time assuring a mechanism to incorporate the results of scientific investigations into asthma care. Three publications based on the Workshop Report were prepared to promote international collaboration and dissemination of information:

• Pocket Guide for Asthma Management and Prevention
• Pocket Guide for Asthma Management and Prevention in Children
• What You and Your Family Can Do About Asthma

These documents have been widely disseminated, and translated into several languages. GINA has conducted workshops with local doctors and national opinion leaders, held seminars at national and international meetings, and helped support a “train the trainer” program through the National Research Training Center in the UK.

In 2000, the GINA Executive Committee recommended updating the 1995 Workshop Report to incorporate new scientific information. The methods used to prepare the update are described in the Introduction. It is a privilege for me to acknowledge the work of the many people who participated in this update project, as well as to acknowledge the superlative work of all who have contributed to the success of the GINA program.

The GINA program has been conducted through educational grants from Altana, Andi-Ventis, AstraZeneca, Aventis, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi Group, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Sharp & Dohme, Mitsubishi- Pharma Corporation, Nikken Chemicals Co., LTD., Novartis, Schering-Plough International and Viatris. The generous contributions of these companies assured that workshop members could meet together to discuss issues and reach consensus in a constructive and timely manner. The workshop members are, however, solely responsible for the statements and conclusions presented in this publication.

The GINA publications are available through the Internet (http://www.ginasthma.org).

Paul O'Byrne, MD
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Chair, GINA Executive Committee