An international alliance comprising patient advocates, industry players and nonprofit groups urges governments to intensify efforts against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), highlighting its pervasive underdiagnosis and the unequal access to care.
A coalition advocating for COPD awareness has introduced a joint statement outlining key areas to enhance COPD management, focusing on timely diagnosis and fair access to recommended treatments.
Estimates suggest over 70% of individuals with COPD remain undiagnosed, despite the disease affecting approximately 480 million globally and is the third leading cause of death globally.
The statement urges increased funding for diagnostic capabilities in local and primary healthcare, along with evidence-based tools and quality monitoring systems for COPD care.
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According to Ricardo Baptista Leite, leader of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, COPD’s impact stems from unequal risk exposure and healthcare access. The joint statement offers governments a structured approach to address these issues.
The coalition cautions that without intervention, the global number of people living with COPD could approach 600 million by 2050, advocating for stronger vaccination programmes and action to reduce exposure to air pollution and occupational risks.
The statement highlights inequalities in COPD outcomes, with people in the lowest socioeconomic groups at least twice as likely to experience poor outcomes including hospitalisation and death. Women in lower-income settings can also face additional risks from household air pollution caused by biomass fuel used for cooking.
The declaration was developed with contributions from patient and professional organisations, including the Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform, COPD Foundation, and International Pharmaceutical Federation, with funding from AstraZeneca, GSK, Roche, Sanofi and Regeneron.
