Breathe New Hampshire, a statewide lung health organization, has been awarded a $47,000 contract by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. The contract award was approved by the NHLBI as part of its larger program to improve awareness and understanding of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).  This new funding enables Breathe New Hampshire to increase focus on such things as: recognizing COPD risk factors; the benefits of early detection and treatment in slowing disease progression; and, improving the quality of life for people living with COPD in the state.

“We are very pleased to be only one of ten organizations in the country to receive an award between $25,000 and $47,000 to conduct programs to reach people at-risk  for COPD” said Daniel Fortin, President and CEO. “Our organization is strongly committed to raising awareness of COPD and looks forward to increasing efforts throughout the state.”

COPD is a serious lung disease that, over time, makes it hard to breathe. It is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States and causes serious, long-term disability. Also known by other names, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, the number of people with COPD is increasing. More than 12 million people are currently diagnosed with COPD and an additional 12 million likely have the disease and don't even know it. 

Breathe New Hampshire was in the forefront of public awareness efforts, beginning education about the disease over five years ago with the publication of a COPD guide.  Since that time, the organization has expanded its efforts in this area.  “Two years ago we pulled together a COPD Advisory Group,” said Diane Smogor, Vice President of Program Services.  “We wanted to understand the issues COPD patients face in their daily living.”  The group, comprised of COPD patients, caregivers, health care professionals, and medical supply company representatives soon evolved from an advisory group to a workgroup.  The group, which meets monthly to share information, examine advocacy opportunities, and work together on ways to raise awareness about COPD, soon evolved to an active workgroup.  The group planned and executed the state’s first public COPD screening last fall.  “They may be short of breath, but they are long on enthusiasm and commitment to raising awareness about this disease and trying to prevent others from developing it,” said Smogor.

“This award will enable Breathe New Hampshire to step up its public awareness campaigns and conduct additional screenings around the state,” said Smogor.  “We will be releasing a report on COPD, which will include the first ever New Hampshire specific data about the disease.”  Last year Breathe New Hampshire provided funding to collect this data through a statewide survey called the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System or BRFSS. 

“One in five Americans over the age of 45 has COPD – but as many as half may not even be aware of it. More and more organizations are joining the NHLBI in taking on the challenge of improving understanding of this common but treatable disease,” said Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D., Director, NHLBI. “We’re pleased to support Breathe New Hampshire as it carries forward important messages about the necessity of early detection and treatment.”

Breathe New Hampshire is part of the Breathe Better Network, which is the COPD Learn More Breathe Better campaign’s larger community partnership network. The Breathe Better Network is designed to broaden the reach of the national campaign effort and was developed by the NHLBI to help bridge the gap in awareness about this highly prevalent disease.  Since the campaign began in 2006, more than 25 states have initiated COPD education programs or convened coalitions in support of developing plans of action.

For the second time in as many months, Washington is clamping down on tobacco use through policy change.  On the heels of giving the FDA regulatory power over tobacco products, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued memo PIH-2009-21 (HA) titled “Non-Smoking Policies in Public Housing,” last Friday.

The memo “strongly encourages” Public Housing Authorities (PHA’s) to apply non-smoking policies to some or all of its public housing units.  HUD sites the health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke as the reason to establish or increase such policy.  Because secondhand smoke can seep from one unit into another, it can cause respiratory illness, heart disease, cancer and other negative effects in neighboring families.

The memo does not mandate such change, however it does state “PHAs are permitted and strongly encouraged to implement a non-smoking policy at their discretion, subject to state and local law.” PHA’s across the country have already begun to place restrictions on smoking in their properties.  The policies differ from one area to another. Some PHAs have designated certain buildings within their complexes to be smoke free. Others allow current residents who smoke to continue to do so, but only in designated areas, and only until lease renewal or a date established by the PHA. Some PHAs are prohibiting smoking for new residents. According to the Smoke-Free Environment Law Project of the Center for Social Gerontology, there are over 112 PHAs and housing commissions across the country that have implemented nonsmoking policies. According to that same group, many other housing commissions around the country have wanted to go smoke-free for some time, but were waiting for HUD to explicitly say it was OK and a good idea.  The memo from HUD provides that approval.

“At this time, such policies in New Hampshire are inadequate or non-existent in the state’s Public Housing complexes,” said Marie Mulroy, Tobacco Program Manager for Breathe New Hampshire.  “That is why we (Breathe New Hampshire) are starting a dialogue about the legality and economic advantages for landlords at both public and private multi-family complexes to begin to offer some form of a smoke free option for their residents.”

Breathe New Hampshire, the statewide non-profit organization that focuses on lung health (breathing issues), is sponsoring a forum next month to discuss this topic.  “From a strict business sense, it is logical to adopt a smoke-free policy.  Unit turnover costs are increased when apartments are vacated by smokers. Additional paint to cover smoke stains, cleaning of the ducts, replacing stained window blinds, or replacing carpets that have been damaged by cigarettes all increase the cost of making a unit occupant ready,” said Mulroy.  “We want to begin a conversation about the fact that it is perfectly legal for both public and private multi-family units and/or complexes to have some sort of smoke-free policy.” The cost of rehabbing units that smokers have lived in may range from an extra $500 up to $6,000 depending on the circumstances.  Plus, Mulroy points out “non-smoking policies are a way of preventing fires caused by cigarettes.  In other words, non-smoking policies are good for health and finances.” The forum is scheduled for August 20 in Keene. 

Mulroy says this is just one of the policy issues the non-profit will be championing over the coming year.  Breathe New Hampshire regularly advocates for policy changes, both voluntary and public, that insure better air quality and in turn, better breathing for New Hampshire’s residents.

About Breathe NH

Governor Proclaims March 25, 2009 Kick Butts Day in Granite State

Ten Members of Breathe New Hampshire's Youth Network Participated

Governor John Lynch met with ten members of the newly launched New Hampshire Youth Network at the State House on March 13, 2009.  He applauded them for their valuable work and signed a proclamation that designated Wednesday, March 25 as “Kick Butts Day” in New Hampshire. 

Originating over a decade ago, Kick Butts Day is an annual commemorative day that empowers youth to speak up and take action to counter the tobacco industry’s marketing to them. On Kick Butts Day, youth from across the country, hold different events and activities that call attention to the tactics used by the tobacco industry to attract and keep young people as tobacco users.

There are as many as 2,000 activities registered from coast to coast on any given Kick Butts Day.  Breathe New Hampshire’s Youth Network Manager, Ashlee Iber registered the Governor’s proclamation, the first time such a proclamation has been made in this state, with the national registry.  “We thank the Governor for his willingness to work with us on this issue,” said Iber.  “The network is very new and having the Governor’s support is a wonderful way for youth to begin their experience with the program.  We hope the proclamation increases public awareness about the severity of tobacco use and Big Tobacco’s relationship with our state’s young people.” There are various community events commemorating Kick Butts Day taking place around New Hampshire on March 25.

The youth who travelled to Concord to meet with the Governor are all members of Breathe New Hampshire’s recently launched Youth Network and serve on the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) of the program.  “The Youth Advisory Board is the governing board for the network,” said Iber.  “The members must apply to be an active member of the Board.”  The YAB shapes the program by developing messages and activities for their peers across the state.  The goal of the network is to engage youth in matters that affect breathing, such as tobacco use, air quality, and the environment.

Most lung disease is preventable, yet it remains the fourth leading cause of death in the state.  Remarkably, the fastest growing segment of the population to begin smoking is individuals between the ages of 18 and 24.  “Involving youth, ages 11 to 18, and educating them about industry marketing is an effective way of countering the tobacco industry’s efforts,” said Iber.

Breathe New Hampshire is a statewide organization that is committed to eliminating lung disease and improving the quality of life for those living with lung disease in New Hampshire. On July 1, 2008 we celebrated the one year anniversary of changing our name from the American Lung Association of  New Hampshire to Breathe New Hampshire, thus ending our affiliation with the American Lung Association. We also adopted a new slogan  “Improving lung health since 1916.”  We believe our new slogan best explains what we stand for and what we do.  Simply put, we address the issues that affect the ability of the people in New Hampshire to breathe. 

We focus on issues like asthma, COPD, nicotine addiction, and our environment.  In essence we care about anything and everything that affects breathing. 

We fulfill our mission through advocacy efforts, public education, and research.

We are starting this blog to keep our readers up to date on what is going on in the area of respiratory health.

Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate worked together to override President Bush’s veto of the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. This piece of legislation included coverage for cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation services. After President Bush vetoed HR6331, the House of Representatives overrode the veto by a vote of 383-41.  The Senate followed with an override vote of its own, 70-26.

In May a six member delegation from Breathe New Hampshire joined nearly twenty other independent respiratory health organizations in Washington, D.C. to meet with NH Representatives to encourage their support of this legislation. According to Daniel Fortin, President and CEO of the state’s leading respiratory health organization, “We felt it was important for us to speak first hand with our national lawmakers to express the importance of Pulmonary Rehabilitation.  The action taken in Washington yesterday will improve the quality of life for many living with lung disease. This legislation will formally establish pulmonary rehabilitation as a specific Medicare benefit category.”

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a program of exercise, education and social support designed for people living with lung diseases, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pulmonary Fibrosis, etc.  Pulmonary rehabilitation has been shown to decrease shortness of breath and improve quality of life scores. Emerging research is also showing that pulmonary rehabilitation may reduce health care costs.

Vincent Kanhai-Singh, a member of the Breathe New Hampshire Board of Directors and COPD patient said, “I look at this as a victory for all COPD patients.” Kanhai-Singh was diagnosed with COPD and required continuous oxygen therapy.  Through participation in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, he was able to strengthen his lung capacity and discontinue oxygen use altogether.

Diane Smogor, VP of Program Services at Breathe New Hampshire said, “This legislation was a primary request we made at the United for Lung Health Federal Advocacy Day.  COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the US and New Hampshire.  It is also the only leading cause of death that is steadily increasing as time goes by.  We need to do all that we can to treat this disease and help relieve its burden on patients and their caregivers.  The disease also places a tremendous economic burden on our state and country, in general.”

Breathe New Hampshire is a statewide non-profit organization that is committed to eliminating lung disease and improving the quality of life for those who live with lung disease.  They do so through advocacy efforts, education campaigns, and research.  For a current list of pulmonary rehabilitation programs in New Hampshire, or to learn more about the organization visit www.breathenh.org or call 1 -800-835-8647