COPD National Action Plan

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is the third leading cause of death in the United States, affecting 16 million Americans and millions more who do not know they have it. COPD can stifle a person’s ability to breathe, lead to long-term disability, and dramatically affect his or her quality of life.

The COPD National Action Plan is the first-ever blueprint for a multi-faceted, unified fight against the disease. Developed at the request of Congress with input from the broad COPD community, it provides a comprehensive framework for action by those affected by the disease and those who care about reducing its burden.

COPD National Action Plan Goals

	Empower people with COPD, their families, and caregivers to recognize and reduce the burden of COPD.
	Improve the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and management of COPD by improving the quality of care delivered across the health care continuum.
	Collect, analyze, report, and disseminate COPD-related public health data that drive change and track progress.
	Increase and sustain research to better understand the prevention, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and management of COPD.
	Translate national policy, educational, and program recommendations into research and public health care actions.

This Action Plan belongs to the entire COPD community. While various stakeholders may be equipped with different levels of resources because of where they work and the organizations and people they serve, all have at least some capacity to contribute to its successful implementation. From health care providers and federal partners to advocacy groups and patients, everybody can and must play a role in supporting and moving this important plan forward.