Thread by @WHO

Today is World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day.

Over 250 MILLION people 🌍 suffer from #COPD globally.

COPD is not curable, but treatment can relieve symptoms, improve quality of life and reduce the risk of death.

It’s time for #HealthForAll
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@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @WHOAFRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN @UN_News_Centre DYK: Over 3 MILLION people died from #COPD in 2015 alone.

Over 9 out of 10 COPD deaths occur in low­ and middle­-income countries.

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@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @WHOAFRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN @UN_News_Centre These are the main causes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease:
🔻Tobacco smoking (including passive exposure) 🚬
🔻Indoor air pollution 🔥 🥘
🔻Outdoor air pollution 🏙
🔻Occupational dusts & chemicals 🏗
bit.ly/2DobUz2 #COPD

@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @WHOAFRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN @UN_News_Centre It’s World #COPD Day!
Globally, #airpollution is estimated to cause 4 out of 10 COPD deaths.
We MUST stop this invisible killer! It’s time to #BreatheLife
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@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @WHOAFRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN @UN_News_Centre Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease develops slowly and usually becomes apparent after 40 or 50 years of age.
The most common symptoms are:
🔻breathlessness, or a 'need for air'
🔻excessive sputum production
🔻a chronic cough
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@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @WHOAFRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN @UN_News_Centre DYK: Exposure to indoor #AirPollution can affect unborn babies and represents a risk factor for developing #COPD later in life.

It’s time to #BreatheLife.

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@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @WHOAFRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN @UN_News_Centre Children are exposed to #airpollution both outdoors and indoors.

Outdoor air pollution was responsible for over 4 million premature deaths in 2016.

Almost 300 000 of these deaths were children 👶👼 under the age of 5.

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@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @WHOAFRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN @UN_News_Centre #COPD is likely to increase in coming years due to:

🚬 higher prevalence of smoking

👴🧓 aging populations in many countries

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@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @WHOAFRO @pahowho @DrTedros @UN @UN_News_Centre Many cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are preventable.

By avoiding smoking or quitting early, you can protect yourself from #COPD.

Say #NoTobacco! 🚭

bit.ly/2DobUz2