RELEASE
October 2, 2009
For Immediate Release
BREATHE LA Contact – Pat Etem 323.935.8050x231 or PSetem@BREATHELA.org
NHLBI Contact – 301.496.4236 or nhlbi_news@nhlbi.nih.gov
Media Contact – Edward Headington 818.720.7181 or Edward@HeadingtonMedia.com
Los Angeles. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health has approved the award of 15 contracts under its communications contract with Porter Novelli totaling $462,000 to leading community-based lung health organizations from California to New Hampshire to support efforts to improve awareness and understanding of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), the nation’s fourth leading cause of death.
BREATHE California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA) is a recipient of this effort at the $47,000 level, and intends to strengthen medical professional education to improve under diagnosis of COPD, educate women and individuals over 40 years of age about COPD symptoms and management, and raise general awareness in diverse communities in Southern California.
"One in five Americans over the age of 45 has COPD but as many as half may not even be aware of it. More and more organizations are joining the NHLBI in taking on the challenge of improving understanding of this common disease," said Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D., director, NHLBI. "We’re pleased to support these prominent organizations as they carry forward important messages about COPD detection and treatment."
“BREATHE LA funds cutting edge COPD research, among our current efforts by Dr. Margaret Nield out of the VA in West LA, and by Dr. Christopher Cooper, out of UCLA, is to study innovative ways to reach limited mobile individuals to help them better manage their COPD. Our researchers are incorporating electronic models to train individuals on COPD Management, and community based models that train fitness experts in local area gyms to improve exercise levels of individuals with moderate COPD,” explained Dr. Guy Soo Hoo, co-chair of BREATHE LA’s Research Committee.
The new awards support the goals of the NHLBI’s COPD Learn More Breathe Better campaign. This community partnership network is designed to broaden the reach of the national campaign effort, which was developed by NHLBI to help bridge the gap in awareness about this highly prevalent disease.
Since the campaign began in 2006, more than 25 states have initiated COPD education programs or convened coalitions in support of developing plans of action. BREATHE LA will enhance our COPD network with a Spring symposium and through Better Breathers’ Clubs.
"The NHLBI’s support of community organizations will help build capacity and sustain the momentum among organizations seeking to improve the lives of people with COPD," said John Walsh, president, COPD Foundation, a partner of the Learn More Breathe Better campaign since its inception. "We look forward to working in collaboration with NHLBI as the campaign and its network of partners grows."
Ten organizations will each receive between $25,000 and $47,000 to conduct programs reaching people at-risk for COPD, patients, or health care providers, or to coordinate state coalitions—including Breathe LA, Los Angeles and Breathe New Hampshire, Bedford, N.H.
Part of the National Institutes of Health, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) plans, conducts, and supports research related to the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases; and sleep disorders. The Institute also administers national health education campaigns on women and heart disease, healthy weight for children, and other topics. NHLBI press releases and other materials are available online at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/.
Resources:
BREATHE California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA) is a non-profit, public benefit organization that promotes clean air and healthy lungs through research, education and technology. It has been “Protecting the ‘Breathe of Life’ since 1903.” For more information, go to http://www.breathela.org/.
http://www.breathela.org/resources/article/what-copd-are-you-risk
The COPD Learn More Breathe Better Campaign: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/
Diseases and Conditions Index: COPD: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html
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