Health Days 2019

World COPD Day

​​Introduction: 

World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day (COPD) is celebrated on the third Wednesday of November every year, in collaboration with health experts and patients with COPD.  
COPD is not one single disease but an umbrella term used to describe chronic lung diseases that cause limitations in lung airflow. COPD is a life-threatening disease in advanced cases. It is an under-diagnosed and life-threatening lung disease. The more familiar terms 'chronic bronchitis' and 'emphysema' are no longer used, but are now included within the COPD diagnosis. 

Facts:
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive life-threatening lung disease that causes breathlessness (initially with exertion) and predisposes to exacerbations and serious illness.
  • Globally, it is estimated that 3.17 million deaths were caused by the disease in 2015 (that is, 5% of all deaths globally in that year).
  • More than 90% of COPD deaths occur in developing countries.
  • The most common symptoms are: breathlessness (or a "need for air"), excessive sputum (mucous) production and chronic cough. 
  • The primary cause of COPD is exposure to tobacco smoke (either active smoking or second­hand smoke). Other risk factors include exposure to air pollution and occupational dusts and fumes.
  • Some cases of COPD are due to long-term asthma.
  • COPD is likely to increase in coming years due to higher smoking prevalence and aging populations in many countries.
  • COPD is not curable, but treatment can relieve symptoms, improve quality of life and reduce the risk of death, and many cases of COPD are preventable.
  • According to the latest WHO estimates (2004), currently 64 million people have COPD and 3 million people died of COPD. WHO predicts that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. 

Objectives:
  • Promote COPD worldwide.
  • Raise the awareness about COPD and reduce associated deaths.
  • Improve healthcare standard for patients with COPD.
  • Draw the attention of decision-makers, public health professionals and community in general for working collectively to develop programs to detect, prevent and control the disease.

Official Date:
Globally: November 20th, 2019.
Locally: Rabīʿ al-Awwal 23rd, 1441H.
 

COPD 2019.jpg




Theme of the World COPD Day:
Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 



Last Update : 21 October 2019 10:45 AM
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