|
|
|
GLOBAL INITIATIVE FOR CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE LUNG DISEASE (COPD) ANNOUNCES WORLD COPD DAY November 20 is World COPD Day 2002. Supported by COPD experts and organizations from more than 100 countries and coordinated by the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the theme this year is “Raise COPD Awareness Worldwide,” and the slogan is “Breathing for Life.” Taking the lead with these activities are organizations of the U.S. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Coalition that have declared November 2002 as COPD Awareness Month. Member organizations such as NECA are promoting awareness of new research that promises hope for COPD sufferers and their families. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious public health problem that is the fourth leading cause of death and claims the lives of almost 120,000 Americans each year. COPD costs the nation approximately $30.4 billion annually, including healthcare expenditures of $14.7 billion and indirect costs of $15.7 billion. An estimated 16 million American adults suffer from COPD; 14 million have chronic bronchitis and 2 million have emphysema, both a part of COPD. Although mortality attributed to COPD has increased substantially in the US over the past 40 years, recent developments bring new optimism for the future. These developments include new studies on the immunology and genetics of COPD designed to increase understanding of the disease, and clinical trials to study new drug therapies such as muscarinic antagonists and anti-cholinergics, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Research such as that done at the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute is exploring new chemopreventive pharmaceuticals, such as corticosteroids and topically applied gamma-interferon, to slow the onset and progression of COPD. |
|