Patients and physicians recently gathered on Capitol Hill to shine a spotlight on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Policymakers and advocates attended the briefing, which was punctuated by a conversation about the urgent need to improve diagnosis and care for patients with COPD.
The message and momentum from the late November gathering will carry the stakeholders’ advocacy and education efforts forward into the New Year.
Bipartisan Congressional Support
Representative Alma Adams (NC-12) opened the briefing by emphasizing “[the] serious need for increased awareness around the condition.” She also called for “further research into COPD treatment and improving delivery of care.”
Her calls were supported by panelists who spoke of the condition’s toll from the viewpoint of patients and families whose lives are shaped by this disease. These families were honored by Representative Young Kim (CA-40), who recognized November as COPD Awareness Month in a House floor speech, educating her colleagues and raising awareness.
Families and Physicians Call for Action
Panelists shared personal and professional insights into the challenges of living with the lung condition.
Joe Morrison’s father passed away from complications of COPD, partly due to exposure at work. The impact on Joe and his family spurred him to co-founded Right2Breathe and work toward “giving people a fighting chance.”
His message about the importance of early diagnosis was echoed by John Studdard, MD, FCCP, a pulmonologist and Master Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians, who spoke about the burden of disease and attested to the value of early intervention. Research shows timely treatment can change the trajectory of the deadly but often preventable disease.
Studdard urged policymakers to “build on today’s conversation to empower earlier intervention and better outcomes.” Likewise, Jean Wright, MD, MBA, CEO of the COPD Foundation, stressed the value of policy advocacy. “By engaging policymakers, we can enhance care, improve access to treatment and ultimately change the trajectory of COPD nationwide.”
California’s COPD Awareness Efforts
Awareness and advocacy efforts in honor of November’s health observance extended outside the beltway as well.
In California, State Assembly member Tri Ta and State Senator Tom Umberg presented a bipartisan resolution commending the many “organizations whose programs and awareness efforts have assisted in improving the quality of life for Californians living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”
The state, home to one of the largest COPD-affected populations, faces an economic burden of $2.42 billion annually. Air pollution and wildfire exposure may place Californians at greater risk of COPD. The delivery of care to so many patients has challenged local resources, and those aware are calling for reform at every level.
“Policymakers must be made aware of the potential for lives saved and state health budget’s reclaimed if treatment for COPD is available early,” explained Wright. Given the amount of attention generated by the COPD Action Alliance this year, improvements in screening and more ready access to treatment will surely be underway soon.