A “detailed, patient-centered roadmap” for addressing the third leading cause of death in the U.S.—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—will provide a “cohesive tool” for health professionals, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Together with federal and non-federal partners, NHLBI released the first-ever COPD National Action Plan in May at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in Washington, DC.
The plan was developed from comments shared at a “COPD Town Hall” by patients and their families, health care providers, academics, and industry representatives. It takes a unified approach identifying the specific work doctors, educators, researchers, federal agencies, patients, advocates, and the biomedical industry can do to make a difference, according to official at NHLBI.
An estimated 16 million Americans have COPD—and millions more may have it and not know. However COPD often is preventable and highly treatable, early diagnosis can lead to better outcomes. With that as the goal, the plan’s developers aim to:
- Empower patients, families, and caregivers to recognize and reduce the burden of COPD
- Equip health care professionals to provide comprehensive care to people with COPD
- Collect, analyze, report, and disseminate COPD data
- Increase and sustain COPD research
- Turn COPD recommendations into research and public health care actions
Involving patients and families has been “invaluable,” said James Kiley, PhD, director of NHLBI’s division of Lung Diseases. “The different perspectives brought by those who live these issues every day contributed to making this a clear, coordinated way forward for all stakeholders.”