Welcome to the Hawaii COPD Coalition homepage!
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, "COPD," is a serious lung disease that makes breathing difficult. It is most often characterized by shortness of breath and a persistent cough. It includes both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and second leading cause of disability. Over 30,000 Hawaii adults have already been diagnosed with COPD. Those over the age of 40 with a history of smoking are particularly at risk, however 1 in 6 people with COPD have never smoked. The best treatment for COPD is to stop smoking and avoid exposure to all lung irritants, including any form of smoke.
This site will share resources available on COPD. Browse around and visit often as we will be regularly adding to and updating our website. Your thoughts and comments are welcome!
We are excited to announce the 5th annual Hawaii COPD education day! Please click HERE to download a flier with more information!
Free COPD Resources
COPD resources are now available free of charge from the Hawaii COPD Coalition. Please fill out this form and mail it to us at:
Hawaii COPD Coalition
733 Bishop Street, Suite 1550
Honolulu, HI 96813
Contributions to help defray the costs of mailing would be greatly appreciated!
Project SUCCESS - Free Lung Testing Clinics
The Hawaii COPD Coalition has received funding from the Hawaii Tobacco Prevention and Control Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation for Project SUCCESS, Spiormetry-Urged Cessation through Counseling Education and Sustained Support, from December 1, 2007 through November 30, 2012. Partnering with Longs Drugs/CVS Caremark, Times Pharmacy, Queen's Medical Center, Ohana Health Care, and now WE:a hui for health, clinics have been provided at many locations throughout the state of Hawaii, including Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, including many pharmacies, shopping centers and other venues. Upcoming clinics will also be held on Molokai and Lanai.
Additional support has been provided by donations, exhibit fees, and grants from the American Medical Association and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. Support has also been received from Talecris Biotherapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, CLS Behring, Healthways, Hawaii Society for Respirtory Care, University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, American Thoracic Society, American College of Chest Physicians, Environmental Protection Agency, National Heart Lung Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, and many more.
Project SUCCESS Clinic Dates for 2011
| Sat., 09/10 |
9am-2pm |
Oahu |
Queen’s Conference Center |
| Fri., 09/09 |
3-7pm |
Hawaii |
Keahou Shopping Center, Kona |
| Sat., 09/10 |
9-4pm |
Hawaii |
Hilo Life Fair @ Life Care Center |
| Sun., 09/11 |
11-3pm |
Hawaii |
Tutu’s House in Waimea |
| Wed., 09/14 |
11-3pm |
Oahu |
Honolulu Community College in Iwilei (cafeteria) |
| Fri., 09/16 |
4-7pm |
Hawaii |
Naalehu Pavilion with Big Island Lions |
| Sat., 09/17 |
10-2pm |
Hawaii |
Glenwood County Park with Hale Lokahi Community |
| Sun., 09/18 |
10-2pm |
Hawaii |
Hilo WalMart Parking Lot |
| Sat., 10/01 |
9-noon |
Oahu |
Wahiawa Hongwanji 3rd Annual Health Fair |
| Sun., 10/02 |
9-2pm |
Oahu |
Hawaii State Capitol, 2011 Children & Youth Day |
| Sat., 10/08 |
10-2pm |
Oahu |
Kahala Mall Wellness Fair |
| Fri., 10/21 |
4-7pm |
Maui |
Kihei with Hui NoKeOlaPono & Maui Lions |
| Sat., 10/22 |
9-3pm |
Maui |
Kahalui War Memorial |
| Sun., 10/23 |
9-2pm |
Maui |
Lahaina, FACE Maui @ St. Theresa’s Church |
| Sat., 11/5 |
9-1pm |
Molokai |
Mitchell Pauoli Center in Kaunakakai |
| Sun., 11/6 |
11-3pm |
Molokai |
Mitchell Pauoli Center in Kaunakakai |
| Sun., 11/12 |
11-3pm |
Oahu |
Waimanalo Health Center |
COPD on the Radio
Dr. Kathleen Kozak's radio show on Hawaii Public Radio FM 89.3 recently ran a segment on COPD that featured
Valerie Chang of the Hawaii COPD Coalition. The tape of the radio show can be found HERE.
For more from Dr. Kozak on other topics, tune in weekly at FM89.3, 5-6pm Mondays.
COPD Education Day 2010:
International Year of the Lung
THANKS EVERYONE, FOR MAKING OUR COPD EDUCATION DAY 2010 SO AMAZING!
Thanks to everyone who made our fourth annual COPD Education Day 2010: Year of the Lung such a resounding success!
There were over 150 patients, caregivers and public, as well as over 50 healthcare professionals, exhibitors and volunteers
from the department of respiratory therapy at Kapiolani Community College, School of Nursing at University of Hawaii at Manoa
and School of Public Health, as well as the Pre-Pharmacy Association.
Participants were able to have their medications reviewed by the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, get a free breathing test (
which dozens of participants received) and view the many other exhibits present.
Attached is a copy of the program.
Dr. Christine Fukui, MD talked about the importance of 2010 as International Year of the Lung, pointing out how terribly
underfunded lung research is, particularly in light of the very high number of sufferers and lives claimed by lung disease,
especially COPD. Dr. Roger Yim, MD, explained the basics of COPD , reviewed current studies and briefly discussed some of
the medications being studied. Researcher Earl Bardbury, MPH, MSW, talked about the Burden of COPD in Hawaii 2010 Report,
which will help us with new policies as we move forward. Respiratory therapist, Carol Agard, talked about Hawaii finally
getting licensure for respiratory therapists and their role in helping people with breathing problems. Physical therapist,
Reiko Taba led us in exercises to help our bodies and lungs; her exercise tips are in our September Newsletter. The presentations were rounded out with patient Roland and caregiver Mardi Kersting talking about international air and cruise travel with COPD, inspiring many to begin and continue their vacation plans.
Mark your calendars for 9/10/11; our fifth anniversary COPD Education Day 2011 is already reserved at the Queen’s Conference Center for Saturday, September 10, 2011. Save the date! Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
HONOLULU, HI -The Hawai‘i Department of Health Chronic Disease Management and Control Branch, and the Hawai‘i Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Coalition, have collaborated to produce the Burden of COPD in Hawai‘i Report 2010, examining the extent of COPD in our state.
COPD is a chronic, systemic disease which includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma. It is the fourth leading killer in the United States and second leading cause of disability. Chronic lower respiratory diseases are the 5th leading cause of death in Hawaii. “The Department of Health recognizes the importance of gathering data to assess the extent of the problem of COPD in our state, since COPD and other lung diseases are a leading cause of death and disability,” said Director Chiyome Fukino, M.D. “We also know it is essential to collaborate with the Hawaii COPD Coalition and other partners to increase the awareness, treatment and prevention of COPD and other lung diseases, since these are significant public health issues.”
It is estimated that 75-80% of COPD cases are caused by smoking in the U.S. Among adults who reported COPD in Hawaii in 2008, more than 70% were current smokers or former smokers.
Dr. Fukino strongly encourages smokers who have COPD to stop smoking. According to the Tobacco Prevention and Education Program at the Department of Health, there are a variety of options for people to quit smoking, including the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUITNOW) (1-800-784-8669) www.CallitQuitsHawaii.org, or through other community cessation services: www.hawaiiquitnow.org.
“The Hawaii COPD Coalition offers free lung health testing clinics throughout the state as well as monthly support group meetings and an annual education day,” said COPD Coalition Coordinator Valerie Chang, JD. For more information visit: www.hawaiicopd.org.
In recognition of 2010 International Year of the Lung, Governor Linda Lingle and Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. recently signed a proclamation, in conjunction with the Hawaii COPD Coalition. The State of Hawai‘i joins hundreds of collaborating organizations to focus global attention on lung diseases as a common cause of disability and death in all populations and age groups worldwide.
Copies of this report are available HERE
Hawaii COPD Coalition in the news!
The Hawaii COPD Coalition and its founder were featured in two recent national publications, Everything Respiratory and the American Thoracic Society Public Advisory News.
Click on the links above to view the articles. Reproduced in part with permission.
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