Open AccessChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major personal and public health burden in Australia
Author(s) -
Frith Peter A.,
Cafarella Paul A.,
Duffy Janice M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2008.00190.x
Subject(s) - copd , medicine , public health , pulmonary disease , disease , environmental health , burden of disease , intensive care medicine , disease burden , family medicine , nursing , psychiatry , pathology
Objective:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious disease that is increasing in prevalence, yet is under‐diagnosed and under‐recognised in Australia. The goal is to bring this to the attention of public health and offer recommendations in order to reduce the present and future burden from COPD.Approach:The increase in prevalence, particularly in women, and the impact upon personal and public health demonstrate that COPD is a major public health issue. A proactive approach for public health is suggested, including strategies to increase smoking cessation among at‐risk groups, reduce delayed diagnosis, extend disease management strategies, and establish an Australian research base.Conclusion:The reduction of the burden from COPD is contingent upon a proactive approach by public health that includes approaching it as a research priority and the provision of adequately resourced prevention and management strategies.