The battle for prevention of COPD will be won or lost depending on the education those health authorities, doctors and the media provide to the public about COPD. Preventing smoking at school level is a much more cost-effective method of combating the disease than trying to convert smokers or treating symptoms when they occur.
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The management and treatment of patients with COPD has frequently been met with a very nihilistic attitude by health providers. The argument that it is a self-induced, progressive disease, for which treatment does not make a difference, needs to be replaced with a new and an enthusiastic approach to the problem.
Much has changed during recent years in terms of understanding and preventing the disease, and in its rational treatment, which may alleviate the suffering of a large number of patients. Clearly, education of health authorities, health workers and the public will contribute to a decreasing prevalence of this much neglected condition.
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