COPD Foundation, global partners unite for World Oxygen Day
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.
Despite the inclusion of supplemental oxygen on the World Health Organization's Essential Medicine List, people with hypoxemia often have difficulties accessing supplemental oxygen therapy equipment. Many people can't leave their home because available equipment either cannot keep up with their supplemental oxygen needs or is too bulky and cumbersome to transport. In addition, equipment suppliers (especially in the U.S.) have faced significant financial challenges, restricting their ability to provide appropriate training to patients and caregivers.
World Oxygen Day raises awareness of these and other issues involving oxygen therapy by sharing the latest information about oxygen therapy, advocating for improved access to appropriate oxygen equipment, and reducing the stigmas and stereotypes that surround long-term supplemental oxygen therapy.
A variety of activities and awareness efforts are planned for World Oxygen Day, including promoting new research data from the Oxygen CoLab, educational webinars, and personal messages of hope and support from the oxygen community.
In the United States, a key focus is lobbying for the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, bipartisan legislation designed to make supplying oxygen equipment more patient-centric and business friendly.
"Oxygen is a fundamental need for human life, but our global health care infrastructure does not always reflect that," said Mike Hess, MPH, RRT, RPFT, Senior Director of Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs for the COPD Foundation. "Everybody needs oxygen. Some bodies need a little extra. Supporting the World Oxygen Day campaign helps get them what they need."
World Oxygen Day is generously supported by Nonin, Inc.
For more information about participating in World Oxygen Day, visit WorldOxygenDay.org.
###
About the COPD Foundation
The COPD Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help millions of people live longer and healthier lives by advancing research, advocacy, and awareness to stop COPD, bronchiectasis, and NTM lung disease. The Foundation does this through scientific research, education, advocacy, and awareness to prevent disease, slow progression, and find a cure. For more information, visit copdfoundation.org, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Contact:
Brittany Irish
805-465-2497 mediarelations@copdfoundation.org