The World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) provides an overview of this common lung condition characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and
...
airflow limitation.
more
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is where air cannot get out of the lungs easily (the airflow is obstructed). COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults w
...
ho smoke or have smoked. Jobs where people are exposed to dust fumes and chemicals also increase the risk of COPD, as well as having chest trouble or asthma in childhood.
more
The World Health Organization's fact sheet on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
The World Health Organization's fact sheet on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - arabic version
The World Health Organization's fact sheet on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - chinese version
The Africa Health Organisation's fact sheet on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
The World Health Organization's fact sheet on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
The article provides a comprehensive overview of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), covering its causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods, classification of severity, treatment options, and m
...
anagement strategies, with a focus on risk factors, clinical features, and therapeutic approaches such as smoking cessation, bronchodilators, rehabilitation, and potential surgical interventions.
more
The article "The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its attributable risk factors in the Middle East and North Africa region, 1990–2019" provides an analysis of the prevalence, mo
...
rtality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) due to COPD in the MENA region from 1990 to 2019. The study uses data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 and shows that while age-standardized death and DALY rates have decreased over 30 years, COPD remains a significant health issue, especially among older populations. The main risk factors identified are smoking, ambient particulate pollution, and occupational exposure. The research underscores the impact of socioeconomic factors and recommends targeted public health initiatives to reduce the burden.
more
The article from the European Respiratory Journal discusses the natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphasizing its increasing global impact on morbidity and mortality.
...
It highlights that while cigarette smoking is a primary risk factor, other influences such as environmental exposures and genetics also play significant roles. The article notes that lung function, measured by FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second), is a critical indicator of both diagnosis and prognosis. It further explores the impact of exacerbations, comorbidities, and systemic inflammation on disease progression and outcomes. The need for comprehensive patient management, which considers various comorbid conditions and inflammatory factors, is emphasized to improve clinical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
more
We aimed to estimate the incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 204 countries and territories. We examined the variations in
...
these trends by country, gender, age group, and sociodemographic index (SDI).
more
The article provides a systematic analysis estimating the prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) across Africa. It highlights the significant health burden COPD imposes on the co
...
ntinent, emphasizing varying prevalence rates influenced by factors such as tobacco smoking, exposure to biomass fuel, and occupational hazards. The analysis reveals substantial gaps in data and disparities in COPD diagnosis and management across different African countries. The authors call for more comprehensive data collection, increased awareness, and better healthcare infrastructure to effectively address and manage COPD in Africa.
more
The GOLD website is dedicated to providing comprehensive information on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It offers resources and guidelines for healthcare professionals and public healt
...
h authorities to improve the diagnosis, management, and prevention of COPD worldwide. The site includes the latest reports, strategies, and updates on COPD research, emphasizing evidence-based practices for better patient outcomes. GOLD also provides educational materials, workshops, and support for implementing COPD care programs, aiming to raise global awareness and promote effective treatments for COPD.
more
The Government of the Republic of Zambia has placed priority on ensuring that Zambians are healthy and productive as a catalyst to the attainment of socioeconomic development . The Vision 2030 aims to transform Zambia into a prosperous middle-income country as articulated also in the 7th National De
...
velop-ment Plan (7NDP) and National Health Strategic Plan 2017 – 2021 (NHSP 2017-2020). However, this aspiration is threatened by the double burden of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseas¬es. Zambia has been recording an increase in morbidity and mortality due to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cancers, diabetes, chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. According to the 2016 WHO NCD country profiles, 29% of all deaths in Zambia are attributed to NCDs. This is unacceptably high, considering that most of these diseases can be reduced by modifying four main behavioural risk factors for NCDs which are tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity.
more
One of the first steps in developing a multisectoral action plan (MSAP) is to use a situation analysis to provide a comprehensive assessment of the health needs, prevailing risks and the context of the area to which the plan will apply. This will help countries, regions, provinces or cities intendi
...
ng to create a multisectoral action plan to align with the global commitments on targeting the four major NCDs: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.
more
Leptospirosis, a spirochaetal zoonosis, occurs in diverse epidemiological settings and affects vulnerable populations, such as rural subsistence farmers and urban slum dwellers. Although leptospirosis is a life-threatening disease and recognized as an important cause of
...
pulmonary haemorrhage syndrome, the lack of global estimates for morbidity and mortality has contributed to its neglected disease status
more
The OpenWHO course titled "Interventions for Noncommunicable Diseases in Primary Health Care" provides guidance on screening, detection, diagnosis, and management of major noncommunicable diseases (
...
NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and early cancer detection within primary health care settings. It emphasizes delivering high-impact essential NCD interventions through a primary healthcare approach to enhance early detection and timely treatment. This course is part of the SEARO NCD PEN-HEARTS series, which includes four courses aimed at enabling learners to plan and deliver NCD services effectively.
more
Lack of information about economic burden of COPD is a major cause of lack of attention to this chronic condition from governments and policymakers.
Aerosol pollutants are known to raise the risk of development of non-communicable respiratory diseases (NCRDs) such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic
...
obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergic rhinitis. Sub-Saharan Africa’s rapid pace of urbanization, economic expansion, and population growth raise concerns of increasing incidence of NCRDs. This research characterizes the state of research on pollution and NCRDs in the 46 countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This research systematically reviewed the literature on studies of asthma; chronic bronchitis; allergic rhinitis; and air pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, NOx, and sulfuric oxide.
more
The article "Time to Align: Development Cooperation for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases" argues for greater international cooperation and investment in addressing non-communicable d
...
iseases (NCDs), especially in low- and middle-income countries. Traditionally, global health funding has focused on infectious diseases, but the growing burden of NCDs—such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes—necessitates new approaches to development assistance.
more