Asthma and COPD continue to have considerable impact on disease burden and mortality world-wide. Early diagnosis still remains a challenge, with low uptake of spirometry in many countries. Implementing best practice management for airways disease is a critical goal for health care systems - the management now includes pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to the lung disease, as well as recognition and treatment of comorbidities. Finally the pathogenesis of airways disease continues to be fertile field of investigation, in order to better prevent disease, slow progression, and identify relevant biomarkers. A large number of studies published in Respirology in 2012 have addressed all of these important clinical and scientific issues, and made major contributions to advance this field and hopefully improve outcomes for patients with asthma and COPD.