Asthma victim helps shape groundbreaking research

A young Sussex woman who suffers from asthma is helping to shape groundbreaking new research into the respiratory condition.
Alice Coulson SUS-161209-121251001Alice Coulson SUS-161209-121251001
Alice Coulson SUS-161209-121251001

Alice Coulson, 23, who has a form of asthma that is triggered by allergies including pollen and cats, is a ‘policy volunteer’ for Asthma UK.

And last week Alice, from Haywards Heath, attended the Houses of Parliament to give her support for a groundbreaking asthma research roadmap which sets out priorities to revolutionise diagnosis, treatment and care for the millions of people living with the condition.

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The roadmap outlines 15 key areas for future asthma research, to focus investment on the most promising treatments, medical-technology devices, self-management tools and healthcare systems to address the currently unmet needs of people with asthma.

Alice said: “I feel incredibly proud that by sharing my personal experiences of asthma with MPs and researchers I can help them to really understand the impact it can have on everyday life. It was great to discuss the new research roadmap as I believe it has the potential to radically improve care and ultimately cure asthma.”

There are 5.4 million people in the UK with asthma, yet the condition is still a relative mystery. Until now medical research into asthma diagnoses, treatment and care has been piecemeal and lacked strategic direction, and so Asthma UK has led a three-year collaboration of international clinical, academic, industry and patient experts to identify the most important unanswered questions.