[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 173 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7415-S7416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 322--DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 2011 AS ``COPD AWARENESS 
                                MONTH''

  Mr. CRAPO (for himself and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

[[Page S7416]]

                              S. Res. 322

       Whereas chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (referred to 
     in this preamble as ``COPD''), also known as chronic 
     bronchitis and emphysema, is the third leading cause of death 
     in the United States and is the only 1 of the top 5 causes of 
     death with a rising prevalence and death rate;
       Whereas COPD is a chronic and progressive disease that 
     affects over 24,000,000 people in the United States, \1/2\ of 
     whom have not been properly diagnosed;
       Whereas COPD claims the lives of more than 120,000 people 
     of the United States each year, with a person dying every 4 
     minutes from COPD;
       Whereas COPD is considered to be the second leading cause 
     of disability in the United States;
       Whereas in 2011 COPD cost the United States approximately 
     $49,900,000,000 per year;
       Whereas the major risk factor for COPD is smoking and other 
     risk factors include exposure to air pollution, industrial 
     irritants, and burned biomass fuels;
       Whereas COPD can also result from genetic conditions, such 
     as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency;
       Whereas many patients suffering with COPD are not diagnosed 
     until they have reached an advanced stage of COPD;
       Whereas a diagnostic test for COPD, known as spirometry, is 
     available for office use, allowing early diagnosis of COPD;
       Whereas the National Institutes of Health, Centers for 
     Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs play a critical role in advancing the 
     prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately a cure for 
     COPD;
       Whereas primary care physicians are in a key position to 
     provide optimal care to patients with COPD and need to be 
     trained to diagnose and treat the disease;
       Whereas individuals with COPD who are able to receive 
     education from allied health professionals, such as 
     respiratory therapists, have better health outcomes;
       Whereas appropriately treating COPD with medication and 
     health management can reduce hospital readmissions and costly 
     exacerbations; and
       Whereas increased public awareness, screening, early 
     detection, and treatment of COPD are crucial in the 
     prevention or slowing the progression of lung disease and can 
     lead to reduced costs and better quality of life: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates November 2011 as ``COPD Awareness Month'';
       (2) encourages all people of the United States to become 
     more informed about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
     (referred to in this resolution as ``COPD'') and get screened 
     if they are at risk; and
       (3) encourages further partnership between the Federal 
     government and private entities to enhance patient education 
     about COPD.

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