A Heavy Toll: Canadian Thoracic Society Report Reveals True Cost of Lung
Disease
Many Canadians unaware of heavy price of COPD on patients and the healthcare system
A new report released today by the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS), entitled The Human and Economic Burden of COPD: A Leading Cause of Hospital Admission in
"Anecdotally, we've known for some time that we're seeing a lot of COPD patients being admitted to our hospitals," says
A serious threat
COPD affects both men and women, is growing in prevalence - the only leading cause of death to do so - and is now the fourth leading cause of death in
"What many people don't realize is that COPD flare-ups can be very serious - leading to hospitalization and even death. I refer to flare-ups as 'lung attacks' because like the effect a heart attack has on the heart, a COPD lung attack causes significant and lasting damage to the lungs," says
Weighing the human and financial burden
Once someone is admitted to the hospital for a COPD lung attack, they spend an average of 10 days there, with an average cost of
But the human toll of the disease far exceeds any financial cost, as
Prevention is the best medicine
The real tragedy is that COPD is preventable and treatable, but many people remain undiagnosed. While being checked and diagnosed early is the best way to slow progression of the disease, it is treatable at any stage.
"People can lead long, active lives with COPD if it's detected and treated," says
Anyone who currently smokes or has smoked in the past should ask their doctor about spirometry. It's a simple test to check your lung health and is the only way to truly determine if someone has COPD.
To access a copy of The Human and Economic Burden of COPD: A Leading Cause of Hospital Admission in
About COPD
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a respiratory disorder largely caused by smoking, characterized by progressive, partially reversible airway obstruction and lung hyperinflation, systemic manifestations, and increasing frequency and severity of exacerbations.
About the Canadian Thoracic Society
The Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS), founded in 1958, is the medical society of The Canadian Lung Association. The CTS promotes lung health by supporting the respiratory community through leadership, collaboration, research, learning and advocacy and by promoting the best respiratory practices in
About this Report
This report was authored by Susannah Benady on behalf of the CTS. It, and the corresponding media campaign, were made possible by an educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
Broll will be available
SATELLITE FEED COORDINATES: Anik F2, C-Band, Transponder 3B @111.1 West Vertical Polarization, D/L Freq. 3820MHz. Audio subcarriers 6.8 left, 6.2 right For assistance with the feed call: 1-800-565-1471 (i) COPD Facts and Figures from Life and Breath, Respiratory Disease in Canada 2007 PHAC Report (2007). (ii) Deaths by selected grouped causes, sex and geography - Canada, Mortality, Summary List of Causes - 2003: Statistics Canada. (iii) Canadian Institute for Health Information. Respiratory Disease in Canada. /http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/rdc-mrc01/pdf/rdc0901e.pdfS. 2001. Canadian Lung Association (accessed 20 February 2007) Ref Type: Electronic Citation. (iv) Mittman, N. et al. (2008) The cost of moderate and severe COPD exacerbations to the Canadian healthcare system. Respiratory Medicine 102, 413-421.
For further information: For further information: Julie Holroyde, Hill & Knowlton, Tel: (416) 413-4625, [email protected]; Cameron Bishop, The Lung Association, Tel: (613) 569-6411 x 223, [email protected]
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