November 20 marks annual World COPD Day
Miami (November 20, 2024) - The COPD Foundation joins lung health champions around the world in recognition of World COPD Day today, November 20, to raise awareness, share knowledge and take action to reduce the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worldwide.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide, yet awareness of the disease's symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue, and chronic cough.
This year's World COPD Day is focused on "Know Your Lung Function" and highlights the importance of spirometry. Spirometry is an important tool in diagnosing COPD and can also be used throughout a person's life to assess a person's lung function as an indicator of their overall health.
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New study aims to provide new insight into how COPD progresses in people with a smoking history
Miami (November 14, 2024) - Researchers are exploring how small airway abnormalities in younger smokers could help identify who is at risk of developing COPD and establish how the chronic lung disease progresses, according to a new article. The article is published in the September 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke and pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide.
The multi-year, multicenter study - the SPIROMICS Study of Early Disease Progression (SOURCE) - is focused on enrolling a younger cohort of participants (ages 30 to 55) who have a history of cigarette smoking to help define the mechanisms of COPD progression. The study is examining small airway abnormalities that may lead to emphysema, as well as the possibility of using sputum as a biomarker for COPD.
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COPD affects 30 million people, yet is still misunderstood
Miami (November 12, 2024) - November is COPD Awareness Month. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is the third leading cause of death worldwide, yet awareness of the disease's symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans, yet many of those don't yet know they have it.
There are several misconceptions surrounding chronic lung disease. Through COPD Awareness Month and other educational initiatives, the COPD Foundation is working to better inform the community about this disease.
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Authors suggest using syndemic theory approach to help address disparities
Miami (November 7, 2024) – Health care providers treating people with COPD also need to focus on the person’s socioeconomic factors, along with considering their additional health conditions or comorbidities, according to a new article. The article is published in the September 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke and pollution.
Research has linked poverty to COPD and its related comorbidities, which for many individuals with COPD includes cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and metabolic disorders like diabetes.
This new editorial provides evidence on the need to classify COPD as a syndemic—two (or more) diseases within specific populations with common social factors that increase disease burden. The authors suggest that a syndemic theory approach to COPD would encourage more holistic care, would help identify and address socioeconomic factors that contribute to a person’s risk of developing COPD, and would demonstrate the need to actively enroll research participants from minority populations.
“Syndemic theory examines why health and social issues accumulate in particular populations,” said Sophia A. Hayes, M.D., M.S., a pulmonary and critical care clinical and research fellow at the University of Washington and lead author of the article. “Applying this framework to COPD would encourage more points of intervention to help address risk factors for COPD like exposure to second-hand smoke, air pollution and poor nutrition, which are associated with marginalization and lower socioeconomic status.
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Programs help people improve strength and stamina, reduce shortness of breath
Miami (November 5, 2024) – Pulmonary rehabilitation programs combine exercise training, health education and breathing techniques to help people with chronic lung disease live better lives. Research has shown benefits for people diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis and other chronic pulmonary conditions.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide, yet awareness of the disease’s symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor.
Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are a combination of educational classes and supervised exercise sessions designed for people who have difficulty breathing. Programs help people understand their breathing and how to live better with their condition.
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Miami (October 31, 2024) - November is COPD Awareness Month. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, affects more than 30 million Americans and is characterized by shortness of breath.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease is the third leading cause of death worldwide, yet awareness of the disease's symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor.
The COPD Foundation and its community have a full month of activities planned in November to raise awareness of COPD and to emphasize the need for increased research, funding and support for people impacted by chronic lung disease.
"This November, we join lung health champions around the world to raise awareness of COPD. COPD affects millions of people, yet many are unaware of the disease and its symptoms," said Jean Wright, M.D., MBA, CEO of the COPD Foundation. "By increasing awareness through initiatives like Lace Up for Lungs, social media sharing and lighting landmarks, we can collaborate toward better understanding and management of COPD to help people live longer, healthier lives."
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Miami (October 29, 2024) - In honor of COPD Awareness Month in November, 42 landmarks across the United States, Canada and Australia will light up orange to raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide.
"While nearly 30 million Americans have COPD, half of those don't know it yet. Increasing awareness of COPD, the need for early diagnosis and symptoms is key to finding those missing millions," said Jean Wright, M.D., MBA, CEO of the COPD Foundation. "We are excited to partner with these iconic buildings and locations to raise awareness of COPD this November."
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Miami & Parker, Colo. (October 28, 2024) - The COPD Foundation has announced the continuation of its collaboration with 1st Class Medical, a leading provider of respiratory equipment dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with respiratory conditions. This ongoing collaboration aims to further raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic lung conditions.
COPD affects an estimated 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide. COPD comprises several conditions, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue and chronic cough.
As part of the collaboration, 1st Class Medical will donate $5 to the COPD Foundation for every oxygen concentrator sold in November, which is COPD Awareness Month. These funds will help support COPD research, education and advocacy efforts aimed at improving the lives of individuals living with COPD and chronic lung disease.
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Miami & New York, NY (October 21, 2024) - The COPD Foundation announces Kaia Health as a new partner in the Digital Health Corporate Social Responsibility program. This collaboration highlights the Foundation's commitment to supporting innovative digital solutions to improve the lives of individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is an important aspect of COPD management; however, geographic or logistical challenges can prevent people from accessing in-person programs. Kaia Health's digital-first approach helps overcome these obstacles, offering a flexible, accessible alternative to in-person rehabilitation programs.
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Second annual awareness event on October 2 highlights issues around medical oxygen delivery
Miami (September 26, 2024) - The second annual World Oxygen Day, led by the COPD Foundation, will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. The global awareness day brings together more than a dozen global patient advocacy organizations and professional societies to recognize and raise awareness of the importance of oxygen and oxygen therapy.
Low oxygen levels (known as hypoxemia) affect millions of people around the world living with a variety of respiratory and cardiac conditions. More than nine million people around the world live with chronic hypoxemia, with millions more needing short-term supplemental oxygen to survive acute conditions, such as pneumonia or traumatic injuries. Diseases and processes that cause hypoxemia can happen to people of any age.
Symptoms of hypoxemia can include shortness of breath, fatigue and confusion. Hypoxemia is most often detected with a pulse oximeter, which uses light pulses to measure how much oxygen is attached to hemoglobin molecules in the bloodstream. It is treated with supplemental oxygen therapy.
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MIAMI & Troy, Mich. (September 19, 2024) - The COPD Foundation has renewed an ongoing partnership with DirectRx, an independent specialty pharmacy recognized for its dual accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care and the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission. This collaboration aims to enhance access to personalized pharmaceutical care for individuals with chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Chronic respiratory diseases, such as COPD, bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lung disease, affect millions worldwide, requiring ongoing medication management to control symptoms and improve quality of life. Specialty pharmacies, like DirectRx, offer specialized care to patients with respiratory disease that goes beyond standard pharmacy services.
These pharmacies have dedicated teams that help navigate insurance, find financial assistance and provide education on medication management, which is important for patients with chronic conditions like COPD. By focusing on the specific needs of respiratory patients, specialty pharmacies help ensure medication adherence, reduce exacerbations and improve overall health outcomes.
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Patients need additional education on proper inhaler use to improve outcomes
MIAMI (August 20, 2024) - Inhaler misuse leading to inadequate medication delivery impacts a person's ability to manage symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and additional education about proper inhaler use is needed to improve health outcomes, according to two new articles. The articles are published in the July 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by irritants like smoke or pollution and genetics. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans, yet awareness of the disease's symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor. Symptoms, which include breathlessness, fatigue, and chronic cough, are primarily treated using inhaled medications.
In a new study, "Prevalence of Critical Errors and Insufficient Peak Inspiratory Flow in Patients Hospitalized With COPD in a Department of General Internal Medicine: A Cross-Sectional Study," the authors examined how often inhalers were misused by patients hospitalized with COPD over the course of nine months at Fribourg Hospital in Switzerland.
Inhaler misuse was categorized as either a critical error in inhalation technique or insufficient peak inspiratory flow. These errors result in a lesser dose of medication reaching the person's lungs, which impacts the person's ability to manage their symptoms and can lead to increased exacerbations.
"Misuse of inhalers is common, and in our study, we found that approximately two-thirds of inhalers were misused," said Gaël Grandmaison, M.D., an assistant physician in internal medicine at University and Hospital of Fribourg in Fribourg, Switzerland. "If an inhaler was misused, a physiotherapist conducted up to three teaching sessions with the patient. These sessions helped reduce the number of critical errors in inhaler use. However, despite this education, more than one in 10 inhalers continued to be used suboptimally, either due to an inability to generate sufficient inspiratory effort or because the inhaler was unsuitable for the patient's characteristics. These results highlight the importance of regular therapeutic education, assessing the patient's ability to generate a sufficient inspiratory effort, and selecting an inhaler suited to the patient's characteristics."
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