Description
The American Lung Association is a longstanding Breathe Better Network partner with a wide range of national programs to improve lung health and prevent lung disease. To bring greater attention to the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the American Lung Association has released a series of profiles on state COPD prevalence. Learn More Breathe Better® connected with Nicole Goldsboro, National Director of Lung Disease Programs with the American Lung Association, to learn more.
The American Lung Association recently launched COPD State Briefs on all 50 states and the District of Columbia and will highlight the states with the highest rates of COPD. What kinds of information do these state profiles share, and what is the goal of this effort?
The American Lung Association COPD State Briefs address the burden of COPD and health inequities that exist for each state, including prevalence, mortality, and hospitalizations. The briefs highlight how COPD is more likely to impact people with lower income and educational levels. Additional indicators in the report show people living with COPD are more likely to currently smoke and report poor mental health days. They are also more likely to protect themselves by getting the recommended pneumococcal and flu vaccines. The briefs conclude with five recommendations for healthcare and public health professionals to take action to reduce the burden of COPD.
What do your COPD State Briefs reveal about COPD in rural communities?
The COPD State Briefs highlight that COPD prevalence in rural communities is about twice that of urban areas. Prevalence, Medicare hospitalization, and death rates are three COPD measures that affect rural communities at a significantly higher rate than in urban areas. Seven states with the highest COPD prevalence are along the Ohio and lower Mississippi Rivers, including Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, and West Virginia. Maine, Missouri, Ohio, and Louisiana also have a higher COPD prevalence than the national average.
What are the American Lung Association’s next priority areas of focus around COPD?
Our next priority will build on the momentum of the Early Signs of COPD campaign and focus on risks and early detection for occupational COPD. In 2024, we will release a COPD National Indicator Report to further address opportunities in COPD prevention, detection, management, and treatment. Meanwhile, we will continue to collaborate nationally and locally to share awareness and education resources. This work is possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are some of the benefits your organization values as a partner in the Breathe Better Network?
The American Lung Association values the partnership of the Breathe Better Network and the opportunity to promote new COPD activities through the COPD National Action Plan Community Action Tool. The Community Action Tool allows the Lung Association to track and learn from other organizations as we all work to implement the goals of the COPD National Action Plan. The e-newsletter, the Breathe Better Bulletin, has been instrumental in amplifying awareness about COPD activities nationwide. In addition, the Lung Association has shared several of the comprehensive COPD materials for patients and healthcare providers developed through the Learn More Breathe Better program through social media and on Lung.org/HCP-COPD.
