HIN Health Action e-Bulletin

COPD Awareness Month is Here

November is COPD Awareness Month, a good time to learn about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a common, treatable lung disease. About 12 million Americans have it, and another 12 million may have COPD and not know it. Certain conditions raise the likelihood of getting COPD, such as:

• Being a current or former smoker
• Long term or heavy exposure to dusts, fumes, or chemicals that irritate the lungs
• A genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Early detection and treatment can slow the progress of the disease and improve quality of life.
A simple, non-invasive, breathing test called spirometry can detect COPD.

To learn more about COPD, it symptoms, and what can be done about it, visit the Learn More, Breathe Better Web site at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/index.htm.

It’s Not Too Late! Quick, Easy Activities Can Highlight COPD Awareness Month

You can help raise awareness about COPD among those at risk for the disease, co-workers, friends, and members of the community by sharing information about COPD. Use these NHLBI resources during November and throughout the year.

Hand Out Fact Sheets about COPD
COPD: Are You at Risk?
Item #06-5840

Breathing Better with a COPD Diagnosis
Item #06-5841

Display the COPD Poster
Go to http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/campaign-materials/pub/print-psa.pdf and print the poster on a color printer. Place copies on bulletin boards or in gathering places, such as cafeterias and break rooms, or run it in an online newsletter.

Show a Video about COPD
The 9-minute video It Has a Name: COPD is great for worksite lunch-and-learn sessions, senior centers, and education programs for community groups or clinic waiting rooms.

Item #56-292N in DVD or VHS format.

Use the Online Toolkit to Plan Events and Screening Activities
This resource kit is full of tools and ideas to help spread the word about COPD. It includes an event planning and outreach tip sheet, a discussion guide to use with the COPD video, a slide show with talking points and speakers guide, sample press releases, public service announcements, and other informational items.

Access the kit online at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/campaign-materials/resource-kit.htm.

Order the kit in hard copy format as item #KT-048. Limit one per customer or organization.

HIN1107COPDMO