World COPD Day, 15 November 2023 - Theme, History and Importance

World COPD Day had been observed every year on the third Wednesday of November for the past 20 years (since 2002). It is a global healthcare event to raise awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), amongst the public around the world. Activities have been held in over 50 countries by various organisations, making this day one of the world's most important COPD awareness and education events.

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), with health care professionals and COPD patient groups from around the world, have collaborated to organise World COPD Day, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness of COPD through a variety of campaigns and activities aimed at highlighting the importance of education about the disease, and finding solutions to reduce the disease’s global burden.

World COPD Day is celebrated every 3rd Wednesday of November. This year, COPD Awareness Day will be held on November 15, 2023.

• World COPD Day 2022 - 16 November (Wednesday)
• World COPD Day 2021 - 17 November (Wednesday)
• World COPD Day 2020 - 18 November (Wednesday)
• World COPD Day 2019 - 20 November (Wednesday)
• World COPD Day 2018 - 21 November (Wednesday)

Necessity for COPD Awareness

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the world's 3rd leading cause of death. As per year 2019, it was accounting for 32.3 lakh deaths. Smoking tobacco is one of the main causes of COPD. In addition to this, COPD under diagnosis also contributes to the hike in prevalence, which is financially burdensome for patients and limits their ability to learn about the disease and treatment options.

Studies reveal, evidence of variations in COPD prevalence rates and high levels of COPD underdiagnosis. The significant direct medical expenditures and indirect costs associated with treating COPD are mostly due to the late diagnosis of COPD. When compared to early diagnosis, late diagnosis of COPD is associated with a higher exacerbation rate, more comorbidities, and higher expenses.



The need for a COPD Awareness becomes transparent as a result of this. In addition to this, COPD is included in both the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs). In order to increase access to COPD diagnosis and treatment, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been employing a number of strategies.

Importance of World COPD Day

Over the last 3.2 decades, the number of prevalent cases of COPD has increased by 974 lakhs. A study conducted in 2019, assessing public interest in COPD between 2004 and 2018, reported that COPD was highly underrepresented relative to its prevalence and effect on global health. This can be overcome by providing public awareness with regard to the disease, its symptoms and treatment, thereby improving the patient’s quality of life. Awareness of COPD risk factors may also help reduce the disease's prevalence. In addition to this, it raises awareness of the dangers of air pollution.

World COPD Day 2023 Theme

This year, 2023, the World COPD Day theme is “Breathing is Life - Act Earlier”. The Theme emphasises the significance of early lung health and the ways that early intervention might broaden the scope of COPD prevention and treatment. This can involve avoiding risk factors at early stages, monitoring lung health from birth, identifying COPD in its precursor condition, and starting treatment right away.

Year-by-Year Themes for World COPD Day:

• World COPD Day 2022 Theme: Your Lungs for Life
• World COPD Day 2021 Theme: Healthy Lungs - Never More Important
• World COPD Day 2020 Theme: Living Well with COPD - Everybody, Everywhere
• World COPD Day 2019 Theme: healthy lungs for all
• World COPD Day 2018 Theme: Never too Early, Never too Late

Warning signs of COPD

Warning signs play a significant role in early diagnosis and treatment, which includes:

• Difficulty in breathing 
• Cough with increased mucus (yellow / green color) secretion
• Fever with chills
• Increased fatigue or weakness
• Sore throat
• Unusual headache and nasal congestion

Risk factors for COPD

Smoking is the major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (which includes bronchitis and emphysema). 85 to 90% of COPD cases are caused by smoking, compared to non-smokers, female smokers have a roughly 13-fold increased risk of dying from COPD, whereas males who have smoked regularly have a nearly 12-fold increased risk. In addition to this, the other risk factors are:

• Family history
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency emphysema (a rare form of COPD, that is caused by a genetic condition that affects the body's ability to produce Alpha-1 protein, which protects the lungs.
• Evidence of previous childhood respiratory infection (medical history) 
• Exposure to: Second hand smoke, Workplace toxins: chemicals, dust, and fumes and Air pollution

Preventive measures for COPD

Smoking is one of the important factors in COPD. To reduce the burden of COPD various government schemes are implemented such as:

• Restricting cigarette sales
• Increasing tobacco prices
• Lowering nicotine content 
• Banning smoking in public places etc

The various other preventative factors that can be implemented individually are: 

• Avoidance of passive smoking
• Avoidance exposure to air pollutants
• Being cautious to avoid exposure to harmful toxins such as chemicals, dust and fumes
• Occupational exposure prevention by improved indoor/outdoor air quality, reduced cooking, cleaner stoves and chimneys etc

Department of Pulmonology