CHEST Foundation Launches Campaign to Encourage People With COPD to Live Well

"Take Control. Live Well." Provides Educational and Lifestyle Management Resources

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Oct 23, 2014, 09:26 ET

GLENVIEW, Ill., Oct. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Take Control. Live Well. is the message behind a new chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) campaign launched today by the CHEST Foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST). As part of National COPD Awareness Month in November, the campaign aims to encourage people with COPD to live well by adopting healthy lifestyles, working with their health-care providers to manage their symptoms, and taking charge of their condition on a daily basis.

Take Control. Live Well. is the message behind a new chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) campaign launched today by the CHEST Foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST). As part of National COPD Awareness Month in November, the campaign aims to encourage people with COPD to live well by adopting healthy lifestyles, working with their health-care providers to manage their symptoms, and taking charge of their condition on a daily basis.

"COPD is a serious illness that can strongly damage one's quality of life, but it doesn't always have to be that way," said Mark J. Rosen, MD, Master FCCP, Medical Director for CHEST. "Beyond practical health management steps, we encourage people with COPD to talk to their doctors about action plans to live well with COPD. They should also seek advice for continuing their quality of life activities, such as exercising, traveling, and participating in leisure activities – all of which are possible with a good plan in place."

The campaign's website provides patients, families, and caregivers with information they need to understand and manage COPD. It also features a "Lifestyle Management Tool" and "Living Well With COPD" booklet designed to help people with COPD improve their health through practical lifestyle steps.

COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is a life-threatening disease that affects an estimated 24 million Americans, half of whom remain undiagnosed. Once considered a man's disease, the American Lung Association reports women are now 37 percent more likely to have COPD than men. And, since 2000, COPD has claimed the lives of more women than men.

"When COPD patients are informed, they can be more empowered to make decisions towards managing their condition. We are pleased to be involved with an initiative that provides these patients with resources they can use along their journey," said Chris Blango, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Respiratory, AstraZeneca.

To access the campaign website and download the educational materials, visit www.livewellCOPD.com.

About COPD
COPD is a common lung disease characterized by cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. People with COPD have trouble moving air into and out of their lungs. COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoking, a behavior clinicians can work to prevent and help patients overcome. Genetic factors and environmental and occupational elements may also cause COPD.

About CHEST
CHEST is the global leader in advancing best patient outcomes through innovative chest medicine education, clinical research, and team-based care. Its mission is to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research. CHEST serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 18,700 members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. For more information about CHEST, visit www.chestnet.org.

The CHEST Foundation, the foundation of CHEST, supports patient and public education programs; grants, awards, and lectures for clinical and translational research; community service and humanitarian programs; and youth tobacco prevention programs. Since 1996, the foundation has provided more than $9 million for outstanding work in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. For more information about the CHEST Foundation, visit www.chestnet.org/foundation.

CONTACT: Elizabeth Zwerin, [email protected], 623-201-5559

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SOURCE CHEST Foundation