WHO All Set to Organize World COPD Day on 18th November

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WHO

Geneva (ABC Live): The World Health Organization (WHO) is all set to organize World COPD Day on November 18, 2011 to expand understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and advocate for better care for patients.

It is to mention that in 2004, 64 million people had the illness and WHO predicts that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030.

Key risk factors for COPD are tobacco smoking, indoor and outdoor air pollution, and exposure to occupational dusts and chemicals.

Organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), the Day is marked by activities implemented by health care professionals and patient groups throughout the world.

Key facts

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a life-threatening lung disease that interferes with normal breathing – it is more than a “smoker’s cough”.

An estimated 64 million people have COPD worldwide in 2004.¹

More than 3 million people died of COPD in 2005, which is equal to 5% of all deaths globally that year.

Almost 90% of COPD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

The primary cause of COPD is tobacco smoke (through tobacco use or second-hand smoke).

The disease now affects men and women almost equally, due in part to increased tobacco use among women in high-income countries.

COPD is not curable, but treatment can slow the progress of the disease.

Total deaths from COPD are projected to increase by more than 30% in the next 10 years without interventions to cut risks, particularly exposure to tobacco smoke.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung ailment that is characterized by a persistent blockage of airflow from the lungs.

t is an under-diagnosed, life-threatening lung disease that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible. The more familiar terms of chronic bronchitis and emphysema are no longer used; they are now included within the COPD diagnosis.

Who is at risk?

At one time, COPD was more common in men, but because of increased tobacco use among women in high-income countries, and the higher risk of exposure to indoor air pollution (such as solid fuel used for cooking and heating) in low-income countries, the disease now affects men and women almost equally.

Almost 90% of COPD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where effective strategies for prevention and control are not always implemented or accessible.