Did you know that COPD360social has members from over 150 countries? That means you are in a community with people in approximately 76% of the countries in the world! WOW!
While everyone may not live in the same place geographically, COPD has impacted us all. We do not share an address, we may not even share a continent, but we share a planet, and we are all connected.
Approximately 392 million people aged 30-79 have COPD and1 COPD is the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide.2 It is also a leading cause of disability and lowered quality of life.1
COPD is not something that is limited to one area or one group of people and everyone should have access to tools that help teach how to live well with COPD. The COPD Foundation partners with several organizations around the world to help improve the lives of those living with COPD, bronchiectasis, and NTM lung disease. Access to information in your native language makes it easier to understand and remember. Over the last few years, we have tried to make the world seem a little bit smaller of a place, by providing patient educational content in multiple languages. You can find our translated educational materials by visiting https://copdf.co/education-materials . Be on the lookout for materials in Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Italian, and Russian, coming soon. If your preferred language is not there yet, keep checking back, we are working on new translations all the time.
In 2023 we will offer our first health care provider e-learning course on Genetic COPD in both Spanish and English. Super exciting!
In 2022 The COPD Foundation in partnership with many organizations and individuals within the global medical community hosted the 1st annual World Bronchiectasis Day. July 1, 2023 will mark the 2nd annual WBD, you can get involved and create awareness by visiting https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Bronchiectasis/Bronchiectasis-Resources/World-Bronchiectasis-Day/Get-Involved .
The COPD Foundation and its global partners are excited to announce the 1st annual World Oxygen Day on October 2, 2023 (O2 Day). In the weeks and months ahead, we’ll be highlighting many issues around access to oxygen therapy. You can learn more about World Oxygen Day by visiting https://www.copdfoundation.org/Take-Action/Get-Involved/World-Oxygen-Day.aspx . Your voice matters, help us spread the word that “Everybody needs oxygen, some people just need a little extra.”
To learn more about the COPD Foundation’s Global Partners visit https://www.copdfoundation.org/About-Us/COPD-Global/COPD-Foundation-Global-Mission.aspx.
April 7, 2023 is World Health Day. We are a worldwide community, and you are not alone! What are some ways that you can create awareness of COPD in your area?
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References:
1.Adeloye D, Song P, Zhu Y, Campbell H, Sheikh A, Rudan I. Global, regional, and national prevalence of, and risk factors for, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 2019: A systematic review and modelling analysis. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2022;10(5):447-458. doi:10.1016/s2213-2600(21)00511-7
2.Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2023)“Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.” https://goldcopd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GOLD-2023-ver-1.2-7Jan2023_WMV.pdf Accessed April 3, 2023.