Advocating for Better COPD Policies
COPD is a widespread and debilitating disease that can greatly impact quality of life. COPD affects approximately 16-26 million Americans.
As the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, COPD drives 1.8 million hospitalizations each year, with more than 20% of patients readmitted within 30 days and annual costs reaching $30 billion.
What is COPD?
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is a progressive respiratory disease that causes restricted airflow and breathing problems. If left untreated, people with COPD gradually lose their ability to perform daily activities.
Call to Action
Policymakers can support the COPD advocacy community and people living with COPD by:
- Supporting COPD research and education by reducing barriers to treatments.
- Advancing policies that align with the COPD National Action Plan.
- Ensuring standardized metrics to evaluate the impact COPD initiatives.
Living with COPD: National Survey Results
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Patient Stories
Living with COPD: Karen’s Story
Karen began experiencing COPD symptoms in 1991 but was not diagnosed for another ten years, by which time her lung function was only 32%.
Karen completed 36 sessions of pulmonary rehabilitation, but the travel distance prevents her from continuing with additional maintenance sessions.
She wishes that everyone with COPD had the same supportive care team she does, saying “No one with COPD should face barriers to best-practice care because of financial or geographic challenges.”
Share Your Story
Living with COPD? We want to hear your story.
Take Action
Your voice matters, action is needed now. Join us in raising awareness for COPD and in advancing policy action that ensures access to early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and patient-centered care.
Contact your Member of Congress today and urge them to take action.
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