Speak Up for COPD

The SPEAK UP FOR COPD campaign is intended to raise awareness and understanding of COPD amongst policymakers and healthcare decision makers by amplifying the voices of patients, the COPD community and the public. Our one critical goal is to establish COPD as a public health priority.

The information on this website is provided by the Speak Up for COPD campaign partners for awareness purposes only. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you have any questions about your medical condition, talk to a healthcare professional.

COPD affects approximately 1 in 10 adults over age 40.6 While most common in older adults, it can occur in younger patients in certain cases.

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is the third largest cause of death globally1, but it is often under-prioritised, underfunded and undertreated.2

'COPD' refers to a group of lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems.3 The global cost of COPD is estimated to rise to US $4.8 trillion in 2050,4 but it does not receive the political attention or funding proportionate to its population and societal burden.5

The world can no longer afford to overlook COPD. We need greater recognition of the impact of COPD on individuals and society to ensure people living with this disease receive the care they need and deserve. We need your support to SPEAK UP FOR COPD.

Speak Up for COPD is supported by a coalition of partners* across industry and the non-profit sector. All partners contribute time and expertise to the coalition activities.
*Coalition partners: Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP), International Federation of Ageing (IFA), COPD Foundation, International Coalition of Respiratory Nurses (ICRN), International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) with funding from AstraZeneca, GSK, Roche, and Sanofi and Regeneron.

29,405 People

have lent their voice to SPEAK UP FOR COPD

Will you lend yours?

It's Time to Speak Up for COPD

Lend your voice by pledging your support to SPEAK UP FOR COPD to help support people with COPD to get the care they deserve.

The world can no longer afford to overlook COPD. We need greater recognition of the impacts of COPD on individuals and society to ensure people living with this disease receive the care they need and deserve. We need your support to Speak Up for COPD.

Will you Lend Your Voice to Drive Greater Awareness?

This toolkit contains simple, to the point social media posts about the need to increase awareness for COPD. Join the Speak Up for COPD campaign coalition by sharing these messages across your social media channels. Together, we can raise public and policymaker awareness and drive policy change to reduce the burden that COPD places on people living with this disease, societies, and healthcare systems around the globe.

Pick a message that resonates with you!

  • Share on X (formerly Twitter)
  • Share on LinkedIn
    • Managing COPD alongside other conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes requires integrated, coordinated care. Discover the importance of holistic care approaches at speakupforcopd.com. #COPDcare #SpeakUpforCOPD
    • Click here to share on LinkedIn
  • Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). (2024). REF-216079
  • Share on X (formerly Twitter)
    • COPD affects 391 million globally—it’s a major health challenge. Let’s address it together! speakupforcopd.com #COPDimpact #SpeakUpforCOPD
    • Click here to share on X (Twitter)
  • Share on LinkedIn
    • With 391 million people affected worldwide, COPD is a significant public health issue. It’s time to address this challenge collectively. Learn more at speakupforcopd.com. #COPDimpact #SpeakUpforCOPD
    • Click here to share on LinkedIn
  • Adeloye D, Song P, Zhu Y, et al. (2022). REF-162199.

  • Share on X (formerly Twitter)
  • Share on LinkedIn
    • COPD’s impact extends beyond patients, affecting carers and healthcare systems. Comprehensive care and support are crucial. Learn more about the broader impact of COPD at speakupforcopd.com. #COPDcare #SpeakUpforCOPD
    • Click here to share on LinkedIn
  • Nakken et al. (2015). REF-159537. 

    May SM, et al. (2015). REF-33733. 

    Halbert et al. (2006). REF-161657. 

    GOLD. (2023). REF-177386.

  • Share on X (formerly Twitter)
  • Share on LinkedIn
    • Despite its significant societal burden, COPD does not receive adequate political attention or funding. Advocacy for greater support and resources is crucial. Find out how to support COPD advocacy at speakupforcopd.com. #COPDfunding #SpeakUpforCOPD
    • Click here to share on LinkedIn
  • Quaderi, S. A., & Hurst, J. R. (2018). REF-101911. 

    Ballreich et al. (2021). REF-159823.

  • Share on X (formerly Twitter)
  • Share on LinkedIn
    • The global cost of COPD is projected to rise to $4.8 trillion by 2030. Understanding and addressing this economic burden is crucial. Learn more about the financial impact of COPD at speakupforcopd.com. #COPDeconomics #SpeakUpforCOPD
    • Click here to share on LinkedIn
  • Bloom DE, et al. (2011). REF-42742.
  • Share on X (formerly Twitter)
  • Share on LinkedIn
    • The lack of understanding and stigma surrounding COPD negatively impacts the quality and timeliness of care. It’s time to break the stigma and improve understanding. Learn more at speakupforcopd.com. #EndCOPDstigma #SpeakUpforCOPD
    • Click here to share on LinkedIn
  • Zielinski et al. (2006). REF-162198.

  • Share on X (formerly Twitter)
  • Share on LinkedIn
    • COPD remains under-prioritized, underfunded, and undertreated. It’s time to advocate for better care and increased funding. Learn how to support COPD initiatives at speakupforcopd.com. #COPDawareness #SpeakUpforCOPD
    • Click here to share on LinkedIn
  • Make B, et al. (2012). REF-80823. 

    Quaderi, S. A., & Hurst, J. R. (2018). REF-101911. 

    Ballreich et al. (2021). REF-159823.

  • Share on X (formerly Twitter)
  • Share on LinkedIn
    • A single COPD exacerbation significantly increases the risk of hospitalization. Early prevention and management are essential. Learn more about preventing exacerbations at speakupforcopd.com. #COPDprevention #SpeakUpforCOPD
    • Click here to share on LinkedIn
  • Rothnie KJ, Müllerová H, Smeeth L, Quint JK. (2018). REF-158072.

  • Share on X (formerly Twitter)
  • Share on LinkedIn
    • People living with COPD have a fourfold increased risk of cardiovascular disease events. Prioritizing heart health is essential for these patients. Learn more about integrated care approaches at speakupforcopd.com. #COPDandCVD #SpeakUpforCOPD
    • Click here to share on LinkedIn
  • Kunisaki et al. (2018). REF-173953.

Share to drive awareness

I’m speaking up for COPD - we need far greater prioritization of this disease

I am speaking up for COPD on behalf of my Dad who bravely fought the disease for many years. He often felt that he didn't have a voice, or in fact...

I speak up for COPD to make sure it gets prioritized by policymakers. Making COPD a priority is necessary..

John Hurst, Professor of Respiratory Medicine

Listen To Our Stories

Listen to the stories from the contributors to our SPEAK UP for COPD video.

Lend Your Voice

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You are now leaving SpeakUpforCOPD.com

You have selected a link that will take you to a site maintained by a third party who is solely responsible for its contents. SpeakUpforCOPD.com provides this link as a service to website visitors. Speak Up for COPD is not responsible for the privacy policy of any third party websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of every website you visit. Click ‘cancel’ to return to Speak Up for COPD’s site or ‘continue’ to proceed.

I’m speaking up for COPD - we need far greater prioritization of this disease

I am speaking up for COPD on behalf of my Dad who bravely fought the disease for many years. He often felt that he didn't have a voice, or in fact that he didn't deserve to be heard, even when I could speak for him. We need to do more to reach out and really listen to people with COPD, diagnosing and treating them earlier so they have the best chance of living their best lives for as long as they can. RIP Dad - I miss you loads...

I speak up for COPD to make sure it gets prioritised by policymakers. Making COPD a priority is necessary to drive changes in the standard of care patients receive. Especially in the time of COVID, policymakers should be considering strategies which minimise the use of emergency care by improving access to evidence-based treatments.

John Hurst, Professor of Respiratory Medicine

You are now leaving SpeakUpforCOPD.com

You have selected a link that will take you to a site maintained by a third party who is solely responsible for its contents. SpeakUpforCOPD.com provides this link as a service to website visitors. Speak Up for COPD is not responsible for the privacy policy of any third party websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of every website you visit. Click ‘cancel’ to return to Speak Up for COPD’s site or ‘continue’ to proceed.

You are now leaving SpeakUpforCOPD.com

You have selected a link that will take you to a site maintained by a third party who is solely responsible for its contents. SpeakUpforCOPD.com provides this link as a service to website visitors. Speak Up for COPD is not responsible for the privacy policy of any third party websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of every website you visit. Click ‘cancel’ to return to Speak Up for COPD’s site or ‘continue’ to proceed.

You are now leaving SpeakUpforCOPD.com

You have selected a link that will take you to a site maintained by a third party who is solely responsible for its contents. SpeakUpforCOPD.com provides this link as a service to website visitors. Speak Up for COPD is not responsible for the privacy policy of any third party websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of every website you visit. Click ‘cancel’ to return to Speak Up for COPD’s site or ‘continue’ to proceed.

You are now leaving SpeakUpforCOPD.com

You have selected a link that will take you to a site maintained by a third party who is solely responsible for its contents. SpeakUpforCOPD.com provides this link as a service to website visitors. Speak Up for COPD is not responsible for the privacy policy of any third party websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of every website you visit. Click ‘cancel’ to return to Speak Up for COPD’s site or ‘continue’ to proceed.

You are now leaving SpeakUpforCOPD.com

You have selected a link that will take you to a site maintained by a third party who is solely responsible for its contents. SpeakUpforCOPD.com provides this link as a service to website visitors. Speak Up for COPD is not responsible for the privacy policy of any third party websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of every website you visit. Click ‘cancel’ to return to Speak Up for COPD’s site or ‘continue’ to proceed.

You are now leaving SpeakUpforCOPD.com

You have selected a link that will take you to a site maintained by a third party who is solely responsible for its contents. SpeakUpforCOPD.com provides this link as a service to website visitors. Speak Up for COPD is not responsible for the privacy policy of any third party websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of every website you visit. Click ‘cancel’ to return to Speak Up for COPD’s site or ‘continue’ to proceed.