“The scale of mortality from COPD in Europe is now equivalent to three Hiroshima bombs per year.”
European countries are paying too little attention to a chronic lung disease which affects one in ten people, warns a lung advocacy group. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an irreversible lung condition, sometime fatal, which interferes with normal breathing.
World COPD Day, on November 19 each year, aims to raise awareness of the problem. The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoke, either through smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke. COPD isn’t being recognised or managed adequately by health systems and the incidence rate is increasing.
“The scale of mortality from COPD in Europe is now equivalent to three Hiroshima bombs per year, and unlike many other lung diseases, it is increasing,” said secretary general of the European COPD Coalition Catherine Hartmann in a statement, adding that “very few healthcare systems are addressing the problem adequately.”
COPD is currently the world’s fifth biggest cause of death, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is also the only leading cause of death which is increasing, experts predict it could be the third biggest global killer by 2030 just behind heart disease and stroke.
The term COPD is used to include a range of conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Those with COPD find it difficult to breath and can struggle with everyday tasks. The most common symptoms are a constant cough, breathlessness, and excessive phlegm production.
“It is the responsibility of health policy makers to provide the right framework of care to improve the health, quality of life and well being of people with COPD; we urge them to give this condition the attention it deserves, to avoid the devastating COPD timebomb we are currently facing,” said Catherine Hartmann.