Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death globally, yet the condition is relatively unknown and often underprioritized and underfunded. This is despite the fact that over 3.5 million people die from COPD each year - equivalent to the cumulative death toll from a plane crashing with 400 passengers every hour.
The theme for this year's World COPD Day is "Short of breath, think COPD", aligned with the common symptoms of cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing and tiredness which have a major impact on those who live with the condition. The day aims to raise awareness about COPD and promote early diagnosis and effective management. Earlier diagnosis and treatment results in better clinical outcomes, including improvement in symptoms, lung function, and quality of life.
One factor that influences levels of public awareness on different health issues is the amount of media coverage the topic receives. COPD is rarely reported in the media and the stories of those living with this common, serious condition often remain untold.
Pace University Center for Global Health is therefore working closely with Mr José Castro, WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases and technical counterparts in the WHO Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health to address this. Through a series of workshops for journalists from major media outlets, Mr Castro hopes to increase knowledge and understanding of COPD. "COPD is a "Cinderella" disease – too often overlooked and left in the shadows. This important initiative aims to address a critical gap in health journalism. The workshops sensitize health reporters to the huge impact of COPD on individuals, their families and carers, and society more widely. We hope to bring COPD into the spotlight, to receive the attention that it deserves."
Last week, journalists from countries in the South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions including Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a three-day workshop. The programme included scientific background and country-specific data on COPD, with additional input from people living with COPD, civil society organizations, and medical professionals.
"Before this workshop, I had never written about COPD, and like many, I assumed that only conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases were the most serious public health concerns. These sessions have completely changed my perspective, highlighting the hidden burden of COPD and the importance of early detection, prevention, and public awareness," explained Emalin Zalani, journalist at Star Health, Malaysia.
As a direct consequence of the workshop, ahead of World COPD Day participants have published stories in major national news outlets including the Dhaka Tribune, Philippine Star and One News, Kompas Daily, Indonesia, and Bangkok Post.
A similar workshop held earlier this year in Mexico City, Mexico, with journalists from major news agencies from Central and South America, has already led to increased reporting on chronic respiratory diseases in national newspapers, radio and TV broadcasts.
Further workshops are planned for the African and European Regions next year, with the next training scheduled for March 2026, in Cape Town, South Africa.
