The American Lung Association of the city of New York recently released At Ease with COPD: A New York City Resource Guide, the first ever directory of services for COPD patients and caregivers in New York City. This resource is available at no cost to anyone affected by COPD within the five boroughs. An estimated 400,000 New Yorkers are living with COPD, and many more live with the symptoms, but have yet to be diagnosed.
COPD, which stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than 120,000 people in 2003. Still, less than half of the population is familiar with the term. Characterized by an obstruction of airflow to the lungs that interferes with normal breathing, COPD is most commonly associated with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD develops gradually, after years of exposure to lung irritants. While there is no cure for COPD, it can be treated and managed.
At Ease with COPD provides a complete listing of COPD support services offered throughout New York City, including hospitals, in-home care, pulmonary rehabilitation, advocacy organizations, support groups, medical equipment, prescription drug assistance, smoking cessation, travel information, valuable publications, and more. Organized by topic and by borough, At Ease with COPD makes it easy for anyone to find the resources and services they need in their area. Until now, there has not been one central source of COPD information in the five boroughs.
“COPD is the most prevalent condition that no one knows about. At Ease with COPD is an important first step in raising awareness of this silent killer and addressing the growing impact of COPD on New York City,” said Louise Vetter, Chief Executive Officer for the ALACNY. “By providing residents with a directory of valuable resources, COPD patients can breathe easier knowing how and where to seek help.”
“Effective treatments are available that can help patients feel better and slow the damage to their lungs,” said Neil Schachter, MD, President-Elect of the ALACNY and Chair of the COPD Committee that lead the development of the guide. “The goal of this guide is to build a healthier and more informed COPD community so patients can live a more comfortable life.”
