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B.C. Receives D+ in Largest-Ever Canadian COPD Study Gaps in Care, Growing Health Issue Prompt BC Lung Association Call to Action
Vancouver, B.C., November 16, 2005 - The largest and most comprehensive study ever to examine chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Canada has exposed significant weaknesses in the way that BC and other provinces are managing Canada's fourth leading cause of death.
B.C. received only a D+ grade in a comprehensive measurement on how provinces are doing in COPD management, prompting a call to make detecting and treating the disease a greater priority.
"Our province has to come to grips with COPD and the implications of not pursuing a formal and comprehensive strategy for managing it," said Scott McDonald, Executive Director of the British Columbia Lung Association. "This disease is only going to increase in severity and this Report Card sounds an alarm for our healthcare system."
Spearheaded by the Canadian Lung Association and the Canadian Thoracic Society, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A National Report Card shows prevalence much higher than previously thought, awareness low, and no common provincial or national strategies are in place to manage the disease. (The full report is available at www.bc.lung.ca)
B.C. does well in areas such as low smoking and hospitalization rates and access to spirometry (a lung function test). But the province falls short in areas such as early detection, access to medications recommended by Canadian Thoracic Society guidelines, and the actual use of spirometry and rehabilitation.
"We need to stop being polite about COPD," said Scott McDonald. "We've known for years that COPD is killing British Columbians at an alarming rate, and we have the data to prove it. It is time for COPD to be put high on national and provincial healthcare agendas. This report card shows there has to be a sense of urgency about it."
COPD, a debilitating breathing disorder, caused mainly by smoking, is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada and the only leading cause of death with climbing rates of mortality.
The rankings of the provinces show a clear deficiency in the way COPD is being managed. The majority received a grade of 'D' or lower with three provinces actually failing. The report card measured physician and public awareness, access to and use of spirometry, access to and use of non-medical and medical interventions. It looked at prevalence, smoking rates and hospitalization. Most provinces received very low marks when ranked on "COPD as a healthcare priority."
"This report should change the way people think about the disease," said Dr. Frank Ervin, President of the B.C. Thoracic Society. "We need a serious discussion about COPD and a concerted effort to bring COPD management standards up to the levels recommended by the Canadian Thoracic Society guidelines."
Dr. Ervin said the COPD Report Card is a call for B.C. and all provinces to develop and implement strategies for managing COPD. Advice includes making treatment and management of COPD a higher priority in the healthcare system. Better education, medical intervention, access to medications, and pulmonary rehabilitation also need to be funded and emphasized adequately.
"There is a great deal going on in BC in the areas of COPD research, detection, awareness and treatment that we are proud of. But we must do more if we are to stay abreast of this growing disease", said Dr. Jeremy Road, a Professor of Respiratory Medicine at UBC. "COPD is the fourth most common cause of adult hospitalizations, but when compared to heart disease, cancer or diabetes, few people are aware of it and its devastating effects," said Dr. Road.
For more information or to set up an interview with a spokesperson, please contact:
Kelly Ablog-Morrant
Directory Health Education and Program Services, BC Lung Association
T 604-731-5864 x 234 or 1-800-665-5864
ablog@bc.lung.ca
Katrina van Bylandt,
Media Relations, BC Lung Association
T 604-731-5864 x237 or 1-800-665-5864
vanbylandt@bc.lung.ca