The month of November is COPD Awareness Month, an internationally recognized event to enhance exposure around chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the US alone 6.6 million adults, or nearly 3% of the population, is suffering from COPD and every 4 minutes someone in the US dies from the disease.
The COPD Foundation has chosen the theme “COPD and Me” for the month of November. The campaign recognizes not only the patients affected by the disease, but also caregivers, friends, family, and healthcare providers who may be indirectly impacted by COPD.
“This month-long campaign will help to intensify efforts to raise awareness that the number of people who have COPD is on the rise — more than 15 million are currently diagnosed in the United States, and an estimated 12 million more may have COPD but not realize it,” John W. Walsh, president and co-founder of the COPD Foundation, said in a statement.
A study published last month in JAMA revealed that while death rates for all causes of death combined has declined from 1969 to 2013, COPD is the only one of 6 leading causes of death with an increasing death rate during this time period.
While the rate of death decreased 77% for stroke, 67.5% for heart disease, 39.8% for unintentional injuries, 17.9% for cancer, and 16.5% for diabetes, the death rate for COPD increased 100.6% from 21 deaths per 100,000 people to 42.2 deaths per 100,000 people.
“Given its growing prevalence and increase among non-smokers, the time has come to focus greater attention on this growing public health crisis,” Walsh said.