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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: [Insert contact name, phone |
[INSERT ORGANIZATION] EDUCATES THE [AUDIENCE: PUBLIC/ MEDICAL COMMUNITY]
ABOUT #4 KILLER DURING COPD AWARENESS MONTH
COPD is a serious lung disease affecting an estimated 24 million Americans
[Insert city] – [Insert your organization] is joining the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI’s) COPD Learn More Breathe Better® campaign by hosting [insert event here] in observance of COPD Awareness Month.
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a serious lung disease that makes breathing difficult. It kills more than 120,000 Americans each year, affects one in four adults over the age of 45, and is projected to be the third leading cause of death by 2020. But, there is reason for hope. There are more recently developed treatment options that can improve the quality of life for people living with the disease.
NHLBI’s COPD Learn More Breathe Better® campaign is designed to promote awareness of COPD, to educate Americans about its risk factors, and to encourage early diagnosis. COPD is most often characterized by shortness of breath and a persistent cough. Those over the age of 40 with a history of smoking are particularly at risk, however 1 in 6 people with COPD have never smoked.
“There are 12 million Americans diagnosed with COPD, and we estimate that another 12 million people have the disease and don’t even know it,” says James Kiley, PhD., Director, Division of Lung Diseases, NHLBI. “Now is the time. If you think you may be at risk for COPD, we encourage you during Awareness Month to ask your healthcare provider about a simple breathing test called spirometry that can help diagnose the disease.”
In honor of COPD Awareness Month, [Insert 2-3 sentences about what your organization is doing to celebrate COPD Awareness Month]
[Include a quote by spokesperson from your organization, or a local doctor or COPD expert].
For more information about COPD Awareness Month activities taking place across the country and to access free materials for people at risk, those already diagnosed with COPD, and for the medical providers who treat people with disease, visit the COPD Learn More Breathe Better® campaign, at www.LearnAboutCOPD.org.
[Insert your organization’s boilerplate]
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