World COPD Day: Know Your Lung Function
Lung function is not only a predictor of lung health but overall health
November 18, 2024
GLENVIEW, IL — In support of World COPD Day on November 20, the Forum of
International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), of which the American
College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) is a founding member, is
highlighting the importance of measuring lung function—also known as
spirometry—with the theme “Know Your Lung Function.”
COPD is a preventable and treatable condition marked by breathlessness,
chronic sputum production, and cough, claiming three million lives
globally each year, particularly in low-resource countries—and is
expected to increase due to aging populations and ongoing exposure to
risks like tobacco smoke.
Although spirometry is an essential tool for diagnosing COPD, it is also
a marker of health throughout life. Our lungs grow from the womb all the
way through young adulthood. Throughout this period, we are vulnerable
to stressors like air pollution and respiratory infections that can
impede lung growth and increase our risk for developing chronic lung
disease later in life. Unfortunately, much lung function can be lost
before we develop symptoms.
Lung function is not only a predictor of lung health but also our
overall health. Small reductions in lung function are linked to higher
mortality rates—both respiratory and nonrespiratory. Early detection
through spirometry can lead to prompt interventions and improved
outcomes.
Initiatives to reduce the burden of COPD and to promote lung health are
taking place worldwide, including smoking cessation programs, efforts to
combat indoor and outdoor air pollution, as well as examining childhood
disadvantage factors.
Although there is currently no cure for COPD, steps to prevent it and
improve quality of life can be taken by a variety of individuals in many
different settings. Employers can strive for safe breathing
environments, citizens can act as stewards of air cleanliness, and both
patients and families can help advocate for more research and better
access to care, including essential medications, routine spirometry
screenings, and other treatments like telehealth access for patients in
remote settings. In addition, providers and policymakers can work
together to improve access to spirometry and advocate for its use as a
general health marker in all stages of life.
About World COPD Day
World COPD Day is an annual global initiative run by the Global
Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), a member of the
Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS). The goal of World
COPD Day is to raise awareness and present new knowledge and therapeutic
strategies for COPD worldwide. The 23rd annual World COPD Day will take
place on November 20, 2024.
About the American College of Chest Physicians
The American College of Chest Physicians® (CHEST) is the global leader
in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases. Its
mission is to champion advanced clinical practice, education,
communication, and research in chest medicine. It serves as an essential
connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 22,000+ members
from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical
care, and sleep medicine. For information about the American College of
Chest Physicians and its family of journals, including the flagship
journal CHEST®,
visit chestnet.org.
The goal of FIRS is to unify and enhance efforts to improve lung health
through the combined work of its more than 70,000 members globally.