Prevent Emphysema Now!

Information for Physicians on the Diagnosis and Treatment of COPD

Introduction

One of the greatest challenges facing primary care physicians as well as medical specialists today is the growing problem of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The National Lung Health Education Program (NLHEP) healthcare initiative is designed to identify and to treat patients in the early stages of emphysema and related chronic bronchitis. Together, emphysema and chronic bronchitis are known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Approximately 120,000 Americans die of COPD each year! In 2000, more women than men died of COPD. COPD is now the fourth most common cause of death in the U.S.A. It is the only disease among the top five killers in America that continues to rise in the number of annual sick days and deaths.

By contrast, great progress has been made in reducing the number of people who become sick or who die from major diseases, such as heart attack, stroke, and many cancers, largely because of early identification and treatment programs.

The NLHEP initiative is directed to both primary care physicians and to patients. Many medical societies and governmental agencies within the United States sponsor the NLHEP. Financial support for the NLHEP comes from unrestricted grants from the pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries. The NLHEP enjoys a partnership with the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), a professional organization representing 130,000 respiratory care professionals.

Together, the NLHEP and the AARC are attacking COPD, a common disease tat results in suffering and early death. Please learn how you can help prevent emphysema! We aim to reduce the social and the economic impact of this important problem. We believe that through education to the public by professional and governmental agencies, the problem of COPD can finally be prevented and solved. Please visit our web sites (nlhep.org, aarc.org, and nepp.org) for current information.

Thomas L. Petty, M.D.
Dennis E. Doherty, M.D.
Co-Chairs,
National Lung Health Education Program (NLHEP)

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