News, events and meetings

(Nov, 6th 2011, Shanghai, China) The International COPD Coalition (ICC), a member of the Global Alliance of Respiratory Diseases (GARD) under the World Health Organization, today presented its achievement award to the Chinese Health Minister Dr. Zhu Chen and the Chinese Health Ministry for their distinguished contributions and leadership in combating COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases). These contributions owe much to the close collaboration among Chinese Ministry of Health, medical and scientific community throughout China. The ICC hopes the achievements made by China will be seen and adopted by health ministries around the world. COPD, caused mainly by inhaling tobacco smoke and air pollution, is responsible for the physical suffering and economic losses of patients, their families and society. China’s dramatic industrialization and economic growth has led to a sharp rise in pollution levels, which have triggered a rapid rise of COPD cases, disability and death. Dr. Chen and the Chinese Health Ministry have actively taken steps to deal with this serious problem, and have focused on COPD for prevention, treatment and scientific studies in past and current 5-year working plans. These efforts have improved COPD treatment programs, leading to healthier environments for the family and work place. Moreover, Dr. Chen and the Chinese Health Ministry also support and encourage strategies and solutions from Chinese respiratory specialists aimed at prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COPD. Through the COPD Alliance led by the Chinese Society of Respiratory Diseases, they have contributed to the promotion of a standardized management and patient education program for COPD. In addition, the listing of COPD in the national catalogue of chronic diseases, they have increased the social health insurance fund for COPD patients. The efforts in China will add to programs in the rest of the world to prioritize COPD and act aggressively to reduce its damaging effects. Jean Bousquet, the Chair of the WHO’s GARD Initiative (Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases) will present Dr. Chen Zhu with the Award to commemorate his outstanding contributions. The International COPD Coalition (ICC) is the largest global COPD patient organization in the world (www.internationalcopd.org) that includes more than 70 countries. Its mission is to prevent COPD and improve its diagnosis and care worldwide, and to work with governmental health ministries to improve the lives, activities, and productivity of COPD patients. The ICC’s 2nd World Conference of COPD Patient Organizations will be held on Nov. 6-7 in Shanghai http://www.internationalcopd.org/Conference/ at the Renaissance Shanghai Pudong Hotel. Chinese and international media will attend the event, which will hear updates on advances in COPD care from ICC leaders from around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.internationalcopd.org/Conference/

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s COPD Learn More Breathe Better® campaign is an integrated health education initiative focused on increasing awareness about COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), a leading cause of death in America, by educating at risk populations about the disease’s symptoms and its impact on daily quality of life, through consumer and partner/stakeholder outreach. The campaign has cultivated a partnership network that includes 57 organizations in 30 states conducting COPD activity, with a goal of having activity in all 50 states. It also engages partners through its Country Conquers COPD™ event series, taking COPD information to events where those at risk are enjoying themselves. Recently, the campaign provided funding to 15 community organizations, sparking COPD activity in six new states and enhancing activities elsewhere. This one year program resulted in 188 outreach events which reached 20,400 consumers/patients and 2,791 providers. Spirometry testing and educational materials have been provided at six Country Conquers COPD events to date, with additional events planned. The campaign continues to monitor activities conducted through its partnership network and just announced additional funding for community organizations conducting COPD outreach.

Comprising more than 5,700 members, ACAAI promotes excellence in the practice of the subspecialty of allergy and immunology and fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others towards the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research. ACAAI’s events and initiatives include: