KANABEC HOSPITAL OBSERVES COPD AWARENESS MONTH
Serious lung disease is 4th leading killer in US
Kanabec Hospital is joining the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI’s) COPD Learn More Breathe Better campaign in observing COPD Awareness Month by bringing awareness to this serious topic in our community. COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a serious lung disease that makes breathing difficult. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and is expected to be the third leading cause of death by 2020.
NHLBI launched the COPD Learn More Breathe Better campaign in January of 2007 to promote awareness of COPD, to educate Americans about its risk factors, and to encourage early diagnosis. COPD is most often characterized by shortness of breath and a persistent cough. Those over the age of 40 with a history of smoking are particularly at risk, however 1 in 6 people with COPD have never smoked.
“There are 12 million Americans diagnosed with COPD, and we estimate that another 12 million people have the disease and don’t even know it,” says James Kiley, PhD., Director, Division of Lung Diseases, NHLBI. “COPD Awareness Month is a great opportunity for advocates and health care professionals to educate the public and their patients about the disease.”
Kanabec Hospital is located at the junction of Highways 65 and 23 in Mora. The main telephone numbers are 320-679-1212, 320-629-9993 and 800-245-5671.