Health groups urge governments to tackle COPD crisis

A coalition of patient groups, health organizations, and pharmaceutical companies has called on governments to strengthen efforts against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Speak Up for COPD coalition published a Joint Declaration that sets out priorities for earlier detection, equitable treatment access, and sustained management approaches.

COPD impacts around 480 million people worldwide and ranks as the third deadliest condition, yet more than 70% of those affected remain undiagnosed. The declaration points to deficiencies in primary care diagnostics, advocating for broader testing resources and standardized quality benchmarks. It also stresses the need for regular patient assessments, self-management programs, and integrated care teams to improve outcomes.

Prevention strategies are central to the coalition’s recommendations, including expanded vaccination initiatives and measures to reduce air pollution and occupational hazards. Socioeconomic inequalities deepen disparities in COPD outcomes, with low-income populations facing twice the risk of severe complications such as hospitalization or death. Women in underprivileged regions also experience raised risks due to household air pollution from biomass fuels.

The coalition describes COPD as a systemic challenge driven by uneven exposure to risk factors and unequal healthcare access. Ricardo Baptista Leite, president of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, stated that governments must convert policy commitments into actionable, funded strategies with measurable goals. Without intervention, the global COPD patient count could climb to 600 million by 2050, the coalition warns.

Development of the framework involved contributions from patient advocacy organizations, including the Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform and the COPD Foundation, as well as input from pharmaceutical firms such as AstraZeneca, GSK, Roche, Sanofi, and Regeneron.