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August 14, 2017

Christina Sequeira (left), Certified Exercise Physiologist assisting participant, Darlyne Jewitt (right) during the exercise session.

COPD – A major health challenge for the coming decades

Breathe Well, Live Well program here to help

According to the 2017 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the world, but is projected to be the 3rd leading cause of death by 2020. More than 3 million people died of COPD in 2012 accounting for 6% of all deaths globally.  The COPD burden is projected to increase in coming decades because of continued exposure to COPD risk factors and aging of the population.

More must be done to identify individuals with COPD and connect them to community-based programs that provide disease management support.  Exacerbations of COPD are a common cause of emergency hospital admissions and a major financial burden upon health care resources.  This also includes high rates of readmission following a stay in hospital.

Breathe Well, Live Well

Breathe Well, Live Well is a community pulmonary rehabilitation program for people living with COPD and other chronic lung conditions.  This intervention program aims to improve exercise capacity and health-related quality of life.  The program, which consists of 10 sessions, is facilitated by a Respiratory Therapist and a variety of healthcare professionals.  Content includes:  disease-specific education, self-management skills, plus monitored exercise sessions.  Sessions take place at Trout Lake Community Centre.  *A physician referral is required.

Learn more

If you know someone or have a client who would benefit from the Breathe Well, Live Well Program, please contact: healthylivingprogram@vch.ca or call 604-267-4430. If you are interested in learning more about other Healthy Living Programs, visit our website.

For more information contact: Christina Sequeira, Active Living Coordinator, Healthy Living Program

  1. Concerned

    What are the COPD risk factors that will cause this major health risk for our families in the future and which age group will this be affecting the most? From my perspective it probably corresponds to over populated cities with more vehicles on the roads as a result, most of our food and household products containing chemicals produced in factories and less vegetation due to destroyed enironments plus over flowing landfills!

    I read an article that says the age group of individuals age 40 years and older are the main COPD sufferers due to their smoking habits. In Canada the number of smokers have decreased significantly so it might be time for our municipalities, health professionals and governments to combine data and work together to try and change these devastating odds of stacked against the following generations by making major changes to our lifestyles and communities.

    If the world is so aware of this major health risk that will arise in the future, then I would assume we might still have time to try and swing the outcome to a less devastating level?

    August 16, 2017