Society for COPD
Launched in 2007
To learn more about the society, its activities, membership benefits and official journal, visit:
http://www.society4COPD.com/
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an involved and complicated condition that may have numerous specific subcategories, each of which could originate from different biological processes and may benefit from specific and individualized treatments.
In order to achieve the advances that could allow more tailored therapies for patients with COPD, it is vital that the condition receives the independent consideration that it warrants, separate and disticnt from asthma.
The traditional view of COPD as "asthma in older patients" has lead to the condition failing to receive the attention it, as one of the leading causes of mortality in the western world, deserves. This lack of adequate recognition has led to it being under-represented within the larger thoracic societies.
The Society for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease was launched in 2007 to help bring COPD out from under the shadow of the larger thoracic societies. Not only will a COPD-specific society help further research into the etiology of the disease, observation of cellular/molecular responses and potential classification of sub-diseases within the condition, it will also be at the forefront of research into unique therapies tailored to the specific characteristics of these sub-diseases. Thus helping to ensure the release and uptake of efficacious and cost-effective therapies.
The Society for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease will have the following core objectives to:
- Promote independent thought on COPD as a discrete pulmonary condition, separate from asthma, and will a complex etiology
- Advance research into the etiology and progression of COPD and its sub-diseases
- Establish a forum to encourage discussions concerning COPD and the development of patient-specific approaches to treatments
- Review and develop international collaboration on COPD research
- Promote the publication of COPD research, and review and publish guidelines on the most efficacious and appropriate use of existing and emerging treatments