EPP-ED Group:

Theme of the day of 14 November 2007

Tackling Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

© European Parliament

Avril DOYLE MEP
EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament

Irish MEP Avril Doyle is launching a European Parliament Written Declaration on Wednesday 14 November, calling on the EU to take steps to combat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a widespread and debilitating lung disease.

COPD causes approximately 200,000-300,000 EU deaths yearly and is projected to move from the sixth to the third most common cause of death worldwide by 2020.

It is increasing worldwide as a result of the epidemic in tobacco use, changing global demographics and air pollution, both indoor and outdoor. Yet, despite the rising incidence of the disease, COPD is under-recognised, under-diagnosed and under-treated.

The Declaration, which Mrs Doyle has co-sponsored:

Calls on Member States to raise awareness of the condition by promoting prevention and ensuring equal access to early diagnosis, correct treatments and mobility of COPD patients;
Calls on the EU to facilitate long-term research into the causes, prevalence and treatments for COPD;
Urges EU Member States to implement comprehensive smoke free policies and to develop smoking cessation strategies;
Calls on the EU to publish a Green Paper on indoor air under the Environment and Health Action Plan.

	World COPD Day
	European Respiratory Society
	European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients Association
	European Lung Foundation
	Website of Avril Doyle MEP

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