Demonstration project - United States of America (USA)
Learn More, Breathe Better
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has developed a national campaign — Learn More, Breathe Better — to increase awareness and understanding of COPD and its risk factors and to underscore the benefits of early detection and treatment in slowing the disease and improving the quality of life.
The campaign is for men and women aged 45 and over, especially those who smoke or have smoked, and those with risks associated with genetics or environmental exposure. In addition, the campaign aims to reach people who have been diagnosed with COPD as well as health care providers, particularly those in the primary care setting.
The "Learn More, Breathe Better" Campaign seeks to:
- Increase awareness of COPD as a serious lung disease — the 4th leading cause of death in the USA;
- Increase understanding that COPD is treatable; and
- Encourage people at risk to get a simple breathing test and talk to their doctors about treatment options.
The campaign includes targeted print and radio public service announcements supplemented by fact sheets for patients and those at risk, a reference card for health-care professionals, a web site, an educational video and materials to help community level organizations further educate the public about signs and symptoms of COPD.