November is the National COPD Awareness month. Spread the word about COPD and have a look at these new programs helping COPD patients in their diagnosis, treatment, management and safety measures.

• In support of National COPD Awareness Month, the CHEST Foundation, the foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), with the support from Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., is committed to raising awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among the Hispanic community. During the campaign, CHEST and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. are encouraging Hispanics to learn more about COPD, and if they are at risk, to get tested. The campaign also encourages clinicians, especially those who work regularly with the Hispanic population, to provide patients with Spanish language resources or direct them to TomeUnRespiro.com.
• The CHEST Foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) recently launched a new chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) campaign with the slogan “Take Control. Live Well,” as part of National COPD Awareness Month,The campaign is being launched to not only help patients, but also their families and caregivers to provide information as a way of improving understanding and management of COPD. The foundation has made available a ”Lifestyle Management Tool” and “Living Well With COPD” booklet, comprised of steps and practical tips for COPD patients to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Educational materials and more information on the “Take Control. Live Well” campaign may be found at livewellCOPD.com. Take Control. Live Well” is sponsored by biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, and its vice president of medical affairs, Chris Blango, believes that “when COPD patients are informed, they can be more empowered to make decisions towards managing their condition.”
• The American Thoracic Society (ATS) is addressing the need for a more efficient, patient-friendly way to boost chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) awareness and knowledge through a specially designed educational program, in collaboration with Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The joint-venture will feature a patient guidebook that includes a 15-minute DVD that recounts the inspirational stories of 3 COPD patients’ battle with the disease, and of former professional football player and Hall-of-Fame inductee Darrell Green, who has experienced being the primary caregiver of a COPD patient in his family.
• The COPD Foundation Launches COPD Hospital Readmissions Reduction Initiative Sponsored by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.As part of the Praxis program, in early 2015, the COPD Foundation will host the 2nd Readmission two-day Summit, bringing together key stakeholders in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including patients, caregivers, policy makers and healthcare professionals, with the unified goal of helping to reduce the impact of COPD exacerbations and hospital readmissions. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals is laying the groundwork as the founding sponsor of the COPD Praxis program which will help address the unmet needs within the COPD care.