Today, on World COPD Day, the American Lung Association is promoting its free Lung Health Navigator program to support individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) across the United States. The program is designed to help families affected by COPD, particularly those in rural areas who may have limited access to healthcare facilities.
The Lung Health Navigators are licensed professionals such as registered nurses and respiratory therapists. They provide personalized support at no cost and can be reached by phone, online chat, or video call according to each person’s needs and schedule. Individuals interested in the service can contact a navigator by calling 866-252-2959 or visiting Lung.org/navigator.
“COPD is a devastating disease that impacts more than 11 million people in the U.S. And too many people don’t have access to a specialty physician or even have a hospital nearby. Others are diagnosed and don’t even know where to begin with lifestyle changes and medications,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “This is where our Lung Health Navigators are critical. Our healthcare professionals meet with people with COPD to discuss treatment options, when a person should seek a second opinion, help with insurance coverage, and much more. We encourage everyone with COPD to enroll in this free program to have a trusted professional to connect with.”
COPD is described as a chronic lung condition that restricts airflow and makes breathing difficult. While there is no cure for COPD, treatments such as supplemental oxygen, inhalers, medication, and changes in lifestyle can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. People from lower income backgrounds or those living in rural regions often encounter greater challenges accessing care; rural communities experience higher rates of COPD compared to urban areas.
The Lung Health Navigator initiative forms part of the association’s Living Well with COPD campaign. This campaign offers educational materials and resources for every stage of the disease at no charge. Additional information about COPD is available at https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd.
Support for this educational effort comes from companies including Sanofi and Regeneron, AstraZeneca, Genentech, and GlaxoSmithKline.
