LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

      It’s hard to believe that we’re almost halfway through the year! And it seems that only yesterday we launched the Year of the Lung awareness campaign. Progress has been made in spreading the word about COPD, and we’ve seen much engagement from states COPD coalitions. This year, several state summits will be held (the most recent was held in Maryland) in an effort to plan the best way to address the issues that affect COPDers. Though a lot has been accomplished, the COPD community still needs to wake up to the call from those few leaders who have been pushing these initiatives forward. Let’s make this year the year when COPDers rise to the challenge together and make unprecedented strides in their community and government.

      As I mentioned in the COPD Digest’s previous issue, we’ve dedicated a topic of discussion for every month this year. This issue is covering April, May and June’s topics: environmental issues, women and men’s health. We have a very special article discussing current environmental concerns around the globe: biomass fuels—the leading COPD risk factor for individuals (including women and children!) living in underdeveloped countries. Read more about what’s being done to help limit the amount of indoor air pollution in these homes on page 6. We also have a special article contributed by Dr. David Mannino from the University of Kentucky discussing the changing trends of women and COPD. Did you know that COPD affects more women than men? Did you also know that COPD affects more women than diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and kidney disease? It’s true. But there’s no reason to be ashamed of a COPD diagnosis. In this issue, we hope to offer information and encouragement so that every one of our female readers understands there’s so much they can do to live healthier lives.

      I can never say this enough but we always want to hear from you! We have launched a blog and started conversations on our Twitter and Facebook pages in order to encourage the dialogue. So, I encourage you to become engaged in the conversation COPDers are having on these websites. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a Twitter or Facebook page, just send us your comments by mail or call us. We want to offer the information and resources you need, so we need you to tell us what you want to know. The COPD Foundation is an organization made up of “COPDers for COPDers”. Individuals personally affected by COPD drive its programs, and the community members are its legs. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to become involved in some way—whether it’s spreading the word, volunteering or donating—so we can bring about the changes to improve the lives of all COPDers.

Till next time,

John W. Walsh,
President