PERF, The Pulmonary Education and Research Foundation, is a small but vigorous non-profit foundation.  We are dedicated to providing help, and general information for those with chronic respiratory disease through education, research, and information.  This publication is one of the ways we do that.  The Second Wind is not intended to be used for, or relied upon, as specific advice in any given case.  Prior to initiating or changing any course of treatment based on the information you find here, it is essential that you consult with your physician.  We hope you find this newsletter of interest and of help

We are pleased and excited to finally be able to announce the following important news:

SENATOR CRAPO 
FOUNDS CONGRESSIONAL COPD CAUCUS 
Senator calls pulmonary problems a national concern

Washington, DC (April 1, 2004) - During a speech today before a national physician's group in Washington D.C., Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced the founding of the Congressional Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Caucus. The group will be dedicated to furthering aware-ness of COPD risks and promoting policies that improve the lives of COPD patients. The Caucus, which Crapo will chair, will partner with a broad coalition of physician, patient, and homecare organizations to educate members of Congress on COPD and advocate policies to encourage prevention and early detection. During his speech, given before the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), Crapo pointed out the effects of the disease on individuals and society. 

"COPD is a major national health problem that significantly impacts the lives of those diagnosed with the disease, and carries large societal costs," Crapo said. "Those with COPD say it affects every part of their lives, including limiting their ability to work, sleep, and participate in social and physical activities. It is estimated that over 13 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with some form of COPD, with millions more undiagnosed. The disease accounts for 8 million office visits and more than 1.5 million emergency room visits every year, and costs over $32 billion dollars in medical expenditures and lost work hours. The Congressional COPD Caucus is a necessary first step to address an important problem." 

COPD is an umbrella term used to describe the airflow obstruction that is associated primarily with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is the fourth leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. Deaths from COPD have increased steadily in the past ten years, with the death rate for women surpassing the death rate for men.

Senator Crapo is joined by Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas), and Representatives John Lewis (D-Georgia) and Cliff Stearns (R-Florida) as Co-Chairs of the Caucus. Caucus partner organizations include: ACCP (American College of Chest Physicians), American Association for Homecare, Alpha-1 As-Association, American Thoracic Society, American Lung Association, and the American Association for Respiratory Care. 

The President of the ACCP, Richard S. Irwin, MD, FCCP, said: "For years, the ACCP has recognized the severe impact COPD has on the lives of our adult patients, their families, and the national health system; however, to the general public, it is nearly an unrecognized disease. The ACCP commends Senator Crapo for establishing this much needed COPD Caucus, where members of Congress and medical societies such as the ACCP can work together to address this serious respiratory condition."

Kay Cox, CEO of the American Association for Homecare, commented: "The American Association for Home-care and its members join Senator Crapo in taking every necessary step to ensure that COPD patients are receiving the best of care."

John W. Walsh, President & CEO of the Alpha-1 Foundation, added: "The creation of the Congressional COPD Caucus marks a significant victory in the campaign to expand awareness of a quiet killer. The fourth-leading cause of death in the United States, COPD is a debilitating, costly disease. However, early detection and the development of new therapies can improve health outcomes, save the healthcare system money and help millions of people with COPD live longer, healthier lives. The Congressional COPD Caucus will also help to increase awareness and early detection of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, the most significant genetic risk factor for COPD. On behalf of the Alpha-1 Foundation, we congratulate Senator Crapo for his leadership, vision and commitment in helping fight these two little-known but deadly diseases."

"On behalf of the American Thoracic Society, I congratulate Senator Crapo, Senator Lincoln, and Representatives John Lewis and Cliff Stearns for starting the Congressional COPD Caucus," said Homer A. Boushey, Jr., MD, President of the American Thoracic Society. "Despite being the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD remains largely under diagnosed, under treated, under researched and under appreciated by the America public. The Congressional COPD Caucus will play a valuable role in bringing research, resources and solutions to the devastation caused by COPD."

Crapo proposed the development of a COPD Caucus during the National COPD Conference in November 2003. In September 2003, he introduced a Senate resolution designating November 2003 as COPD Awareness Month. Crapo has become an activist in health awareness issues since he was diagnosed and successfully treated for prostate cancer in January 2000. He has sponsored the Mike Crapo Health Awareness Booths at four regional fairs in Idaho for the last three years. The booths provide early detection tests for prostate and breast cancer along with cholesterol and blood pressure screenings and health promotion information. Crapo is planning another year of the booths in 2004. Crapo also co-chairs the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition.

The COPD Caucus is a tremendously important step towards finally giving some recognition to those with pulmonary disease. So far, only Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas), and Representatives John Lewis (D-Georgia) and Cliff Stearns (R-Florida), have joined Senator Crapo. We urge all of our readers to e-mail a letter to your Senators and Congressmen. (Written letters take a long time and go through security checks.) It was recommended that our letters not be too long, but it is hard to be informative and brief at the same time! Make them aware of the term COPD and urge them to join this COPD Caucus! If you get a successful response, let us know. We will print the names of those legislators who join this effort. 

Ask your friends, neighbors, and acquaintances if they know what COPD stands for. Educate them! Ask them to join in this campaign to make COPD a household word, and to convince our national representatives to join this COPD Caucus initiated by Senator Crapo. Bring your patient clubs and support groups on board in this effort! 

If you don't want to write a letter just e-mail your representatives, "Make COPD a household word. Join the COPD Caucus." Only by making Washington aware of this serious problem will we get the legislation, the research, and the funding we need to help us win this battle. Act today!

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