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World COPD Day: 12 Million Americans Unaware They Are At Risk for Fourth Leading Cause of Death
Surgeon General Richard Carmona and Senator Michael Crapo urge Americans to be screened for "silent killer"
Napa, CA (November 16, 2005)—Today marks World COPD Day, an annual event designated by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in 2002 to call attention to the need to improve awareness, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. In 2002, approximately 120,000 Americans died because of COPD, and rates are increasing. It is called a "silent killer" because, of the 24 million Americans estimated to be living with COPD, one-half are undiagnosed.
"COPD robs millions of Americans of their health and their lives. Working together, we can better prevent, diagnose, and treat COPD," said U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H. "Smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD. If you smoke, please stop. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit smokefree.gov for help to quit smoking. If you don't smoke, please don't ever start. And because many people have COPD for years before symptoms appear, ask your healthcare professional if you should be screened for COPD. If COPD is diagnosed early, you can manage its symptoms through treatment and improve your quality of life. I also urge every healthcare professional to test for COPD when a patient has the risk factors."
COPD refers to a number of incurable lung disorders in which the airways to the lungs become blocked and the patient loses lung function and the ability to breathe. The most common forms of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and many patients suffer from a combination of the two diseases. Although COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, many people remain unaware of this progressively debilitating, silent disease, and so do not seek screening or treatment for it. A simple breathing test called spirometry is one of the most common methods for diagnosing COPD, and can detect the presence of the disease before symptoms appear.
Members of Congress have recognized the importance of increasing both the public's and legislators' awareness and understanding of COPD. "COPD is a public health crisis, both for the millions who are currently being treated for it as well as for the many millions more who are unaware that they have the disease," said Senator Michael Crapo, (R) Idaho and Chairman of the COPD Congressional Caucus. "Since 1970, the incidence of COPD death has risen 106%. In 2004, with my colleagues Senator Blanche Lincoln and Representatives Cliff Stearns and John Lewis, I founded the COPD Congressional Caucus. Our bipartisan group strives to bring attention to the wide devastation caused by this fatal disease and to work through Congress to find legislative solutions that will encourage prevention and early detection of COPD as well as improve the lives of patients."
Among national patient advocacy groups that target COPD, the National Emphysema/COPD Association (NECA) works to raise the public's awareness of COPD, to educate patients about their disease and its treatment, and to advocate for improved access to treatment. "Our organization's focus is on empowering patients and their families and improving the quality of patient care," said Barbara Rogers, President of NECA.
J. Melville Engle, President and Chief Executive Officer of DEY, L.P., said, "We applaud the efforts of Surgeon General Carmona, Senator Crapo, and the COPD Congressional Caucus in drawing attention to this often overlooked disease. Millions of Americans don't know they are suffering from impaired lung function. That can be resolved with a simple spirometry test. Today, on World COPD Day, we join with other concerned groups to urge all Americans to learn the risk factors for COPD and to talk to their healthcare professionals about spirometry testing."
About NECA
The National Emphysema/COPD Association (NECA) is a patient-centered, member-driven, and member-governed organization. Its mission is to empower patients, families, and caregivers to improve the quality of patient care and the quality of their lives. NECA's primary objectives include:
- Providing support, advocacy, networking, and education programs in partnership with complementary organizations and
- Promoting public awareness campaigns to increase research and improve prevention, early detection, and care.
For more information about NECA, email Barbara Rogers at Breethezy@aol.com, or visit www.necacommunity.org. For media enquiries for NECA, contact Teresa Barnes at 303-521-4080 (TeresaRBarnes@hotmail.com).
About DEY, L.P.
DEY, L.P. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription drug products for the treatment of respiratory diseases and respiratory-related allergies. Since 1978, patients have benefited from DEY's commitment to innovative and affordable health care solutions. The Web sites for DEY include www.dey.com, www.accuneb.com, www.curosurfusa.com, www.duoneb.com and www.epipen.com. DEY is an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
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