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COPD Foundation, NASCAR, healthcare organizations and celebrities join campaign for early detection of COPD
PR Newswire
Ridgefield, CT — Entertainment, sports and healthcare organizations and celebrities have joined forces to screen millions of people who may be at risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the nation’s fourth leading cause of death.
The COPD Foundation, American Lung Association, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals and NASCAR today kicked off DRIVE4COPD, a public health initiative aimed at early detection of COPD.
An estimated half of the 24 million people in the United States who may have COPD remain undiagnosed. COPD – which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema – robs people of their ability to breathe and kills more Americans each year than breast cancer and diabetes combined.
“Everyone in America knows someone with COPD and unfortunately half of them are symptomatic and don’t know they have it,” said John Walsh, president of the COPD Foundation, who has COPD himself.
“COPD affects more women than men,” said Walsh. “Although smoking is a major risk factor, it’s not the only one. Environmental exposures and genetics are also involved. That’s why it’s important to spread awareness about COPD, so individuals affected feel empowered and take charge.”
