About the COPD Alliance
The COPD Alliance was formed to provide primary care clinicians with timely information, tools, and support to facilitate the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Alliance is composed of multidisciplinary societies and corporations whose commitment is to help primary care clinicians improve their patients’ quality of life through early recognition and management of COPD.
Founding Members
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) - www.aanp.org
- American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) - www.aapa.org
- American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) - www.chestnet.org
- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) - www.acofp.org
- American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) - www.acoi.org
Consensus Statement
To address the estimated 24 million Americans who may have COPD, 12 million of whom remain undiagnosed, the COPD Alliance advocates the integrated and routine use of validated COPD screening tools in ‘at risk’ patients; confirmation of COPD through postbronchodilator spirometry; and utilization of best available evidence-based criteria for treatment of COPD.
STEP Campaign
The COPD Alliance’s unified voice promotes early diagnosis of COPD through enhanced awareness and understanding of this preventable and treatable disease utilizing the acronym STEP:
Screen patients at risk
Test and diagnose utilizing spirometry when indicated
Educate patients about COPD
Provide appropriate medical care and support
About COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common preventable and treatable lung disease that causes problems with breathing. Patients with COPD have trouble pushing used air out of their lungs, making it difficult to take in healthy new air. COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both.
Causes of COPD
- History of tobacco smoke exposure
- Exposure to occupational dusts and chemicals
- Exposure to smoke from home cooking or heating fuels (primary present in immigrants)
- Patients with known coronary artery disease, especially if they are a current or former smoker
COPD Statistics
- Fourth Leading cause of death
- More than 12.7 million people have been diagnosed with COPD
- Approximately 24 million adults have evidence of impaired lung function indicative of COPD
- Most (70 percent) of patients with undiagnosed COPD are less than 65 years of age
Contact Information
Michael Bourisaw
3300 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
847.498.8324
Media Inquiries
Jennifer Stawarz
847.498.8306