19 Nov 2008
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Highlighting a growing public health problem
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19 November 2008
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is predicted to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. To raise global awareness of this increasing burden, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (click here >>) is organising World COPD Day on 19 November. World COPD Day activities are organised in more than 50 countries by health care professionals, educators and members of the public – this year the theme is ‘Breathless not helpless’.
Smoking is the most important recognized cause of COPD, with other causes including exposure to occupational hazards, air pollution and secondhand smoke.
For more information on activities, see the World COPD Day website (click here >>).
Source: GOLD