Summary
A nationwide, long-term and systematic lung health policy has been implemented in Finland. The real-world data indicate that the burden of respiratory diseases has reduced both for patients and, overall, for society.

Relevance
The paper describes how the national programmes carried out in Finland to respond to respiratory health, starting from the 1990s, has reduced the overall societal and cost burden of chronic respiratory diseases. The programmes started from managing tuberculosis, followed by The Asthma Programme (1994–2004) improving medication and diagnostics, The Allergy Programme (2008–2018) emphasising prevention, The COPD Programme (1998‒2007) increasing awareness and earlier diagnosis, and The Sleep Apnoea Programme (2002‒2010) focusing on improving awareness, diagnostic, and therapeutic guidelines. Tightening of anti-smoking legislation (1995 in workplaces, 2007 in restaurants) and anti-smoking campaigns have also played an important role in reducing COPD. These national health management policies have been the basic work underlying the physical activity programmes and guidelines that are being proceeded today.