Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, claiming over 3.5 million lives each year. Despite its significant impact, COPD remains relatively unknown, underprioritized, and underfunded. The condition causes symptoms such as cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and fatigue, which profoundly affect the quality of life of those living with it. Early diagnosis and effective management of COPD are crucial, as they can improve symptoms, lung function, and overall health outcomes.
This year’s World COPD Day, themed “Short of breath, think COPD,” seeks to raise awareness of the condition and emphasize the importance of early detection and treatment. Public awareness is often shaped by media coverage, yet COPD is rarely highlighted, and the experiences of those living with it frequently remain untold.
To address this gap, Pace University Center for Global Health has partnered with Mr José Castro, WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases, and technical teams from the WHO Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health to conduct workshops for journalists. These workshops aim to improve understanding of COPD, its impacts, and the importance of reporting on this “Cinderella” disease. The initiative is designed to sensitize health reporters to the effects of COPD on patients, families, and society, ultimately bringing greater public attention to the condition.
Recently, journalists from South-East Asia and the Western Pacific, including Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, participated in a three-day workshop in Kuala Lumpur. The sessions included scientific and country-specific data on COPD, alongside contributions from patients, civil society organizations, and medical professionals. Journalists reported that the training significantly changed their perception of COPD, highlighting its hidden burden and the need for early detection and public education.
As a result of the workshop, participating journalists have published stories in major national outlets such as the Dhaka Tribune, Philippine Star, One News, Kompas Daily, and Bangkok Post ahead of World COPD Day. A previous workshop in Mexico City with Central and South American journalists also led to increased coverage of chronic respiratory diseases across newspapers, radio, and television. Further workshops are planned for Africa and Europe, with the next training scheduled for March 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, continuing efforts to elevate global awareness of COPD.
