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Chronic Disease Management: Innovative Programs to Reduce Social Isolation in COPD
Respiratory Health Association has been a public health leader in metropolitan Chicago since 1906. Today, the Association addresses asthma, COPD, lung cancer, tobacco control and air quality with a comprehensive approach involving research, education and advocacy activities. In 2004, local patients living with COPD identified a need for programming specifically targeting improved socialization. Limited research supports the importance of reducing social isolation to patients living with COPD, but a local program model did not exist. To fill this gap in programming, Respiratory Health Association worked with local stakeholders to develop our COPD Initiative.
Our COPD Initiative aims to promote well-being through education; support social engagement by addressing potential limitations and barriers; increase participation in advocacy activities to improve disease awareness and treatment; and to create a shared community. Since 2004, more than 6,500 people living with COPD and their caregivers have participated in our Living Better Together COPD Conference and Cruising with COPD programs. We have distributed more than 130,000 issues of Inspiration, an educational newsletter featuring tips on living better with COPD. Additionally, our COPD program participants have written more than 1,800 advocacy letters urging policy makers and other stakeholders to support lung health and clean air policies, increase disease awareness and improve COPD care and management.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health educationChronic disease management and prevention
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Describe innovative programming designed to reduce social isolation in people living with COPD.
Keyword(s): Chronic Disease Management and Care
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As Senior Director of Programs and Policy at Respiratory Health Association (Chicago, IL), I develop and oversee lung health initiatives related to tobacco prevention and cessation, secondhand smoke reduction, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, influenza prevention and women’s lung health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.