ICC Advocacy Platform

Download a PDF copy of this COPD advocacy platform.

The International COPD Coalition calls on local, regional, and national governments around the world to implement the COPD Patients' Global Bill of Rights.  Governments at all levels can take meaningful action to reduce the burden of COPD.

Legislation to address COPD should target multiple risk factors, and include prevention as well as treatment. Only a comprehensive COPD program can address all aspects of the problem synergistically. Rather than quick fixes, 5-year or other long-term, comprehensive plans should be developed. The ICC recommends that governments:

Reduce exposure to COPD risk factors among all members of society:

• Expand tobacco control as rapidly as possible, including a multi-factorial effort to reduce secondhand smoke
• Institute a smoking ban in public places
• Reduce automobile emissions and exhaust
• Implement both technological advances and behavioral changes to reduce air pollution
• Reach those already at-risk with risk reduction messages

Support basic and clinical research to:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of COPD interventions
• Develop and implement new clinical techniques to benefit patients, improve activity, and reduce exacerbations
• Test blockers of oxidative stress in COPD
• Perfect inexpensive portable spirometry
• Understand the role of inflammation of COPD

Facilitate practical application of discoveries related to COPD in clinical care:

• Roll out carbocysteine mucolytic agents for COPD patients with chronic bronchitis
• Roll out peak flow meters and FEV1 meters for early COPD diagnosis

Ensure that COPD patients receive the care that they need:

• Enhance reimbursement for COPD management
• Enhance health insurance coverage of interventions related to COPD prevention, diagnosis, and treatment

Increase awareness and understanding of COPD:

• Support education of patients and the general population