Breathing Matters : Breathing

Breathe New Hampshire One of 15 Organizations in Nation to Receive Funding for COPD Awareness

bdovidio — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:18:00 GMT

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.

The NHLBI COPD Learn More Breathe Better campaign provides education materials, a Web site (www.learnaboutcopd.org) and additional communications tools for community partners. The campaign targets the needs of the public, including those at risk for COPD, people with COPD who are undiagnosed and those already diagnosed with the disease. The campaign also focuses on reaching health care professionals, specifically among primary care providers, to increase early detection, proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Tobacco Takes Another Hit from Washington

bdovidio — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:10:00 GMT

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

Since 1916, Breathe New Hampshire has been dedicated to eliminating lung disease through providing educational programs, public health advocacy, and the support of scientific research that help prevent, eliminate, and treat lung disease. To learn more about Breathe New Hampshire or to make a donation, visit www.breathenh.org.

Breathe New Hampshire Urges You to Exercise Special Care During Swine Flu Outbreak if You Are Living With Lung Disease

bdovidio — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:03:00 GMT

At present, there are about 50 confirmed cases of swine influenza (flu) in the U.S. At this time, the cases closest to New Hampshire have been discovered in New York City. Swine flu, like all strains of influenza, is a viral infection that affects the airways. It is a serious illness. Symptoms may include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue; and with this particular strain, a few more patients than usual have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.

“Swine flu, as with other flu strains, is especially serious for people who live with chronic diseases that affect their breathing, like asthma and COPD,” said Diane Smogor, VP of Program Services at Breathe New Hampshire. “When a person has a lung health issue, their airways are already somewhat inflamed and more susceptible to infection. That means it is easier for these folks to catch the flu, if they are exposed to it, and the severity of the flu is likely to be greater.” Flu can actually trigger asthma attacks.

Breathe New Hampshire is also concerned about those with compromised lung health because “some of the symptoms of the flu may feel similar at first to those symptoms associated with asthma or COPD, especially if the person also has allergies, which many people with asthma do,” explained Smogor. “We are concerned that some of our constituents may not readily associate these symptoms with Swine Flu. We urge individuals living with lung disease who notice a cough, more shortness of breath than usual, and a runny or stuffy nose, to be on the alert for other symptoms that are unique to the flu such as: high fever with chills, aching, tender muscles, headache, extreme fatigue and loss of energy, and a sore throat.” Individuals with such symptoms should consult with a physician and be tested.

Breathe New Hampshire is posting frequent daily news updates on this outbreak at www.breathenh.org/swineflu.

Nonprofit Can Help Families Enjoy New England Outings at a Discount

bdovidio — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:49:00 GMT

Bedford, NH, January 12, 2009 – we’ve celebrated the New Year, stashed away the holiday lights and decorations, made our resolutions, and are now settling into a long New Hampshire winter routine. Perhaps some are already experiencing some cabin fever. Let a statewide non-profit organization, Breathe New Hampshire; come to your rescue with the 2009 Fun Pass.

The Fun Pass is exactly what it sounds like. It is a book of discount coupons to over 100 New England attractions, including 13 New Hampshire ski resorts, including Loon Mountain, Wildcat, Gunstock and Cranmore.

For only $25, the Fun Pass offers savings of over $1,000 at over 100 attractions. Attractions like Story Land, Canobie Lake Park and Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth are included. In most instances the coupon offers free admission to a child 12 years-old and under, with a paying adult ticket purchase.

Some new attractions have been added this year, like Liquid Planet Water Park, Boston Duck Tours, and the Currier Museum of Art. For a complete list of attractions you can visit Breathe New Hampshire’s website at www.breathenh.org.

In addition to saving yourself some money, you are doing a good deed through your purchase. Proceeds from your purchase help support school based tobacco prevention and asthma education programs offered by Breathe New Hampshire. The organization has been helping New Hampshire residents since 1916 by providing services, education, and advocacy efforts around matters that affect breathing, from tuberculosis to asthma.

You can place an order in one of 3 ways:

· On-line: www.breathenh.org

· By phone: 800-835-8647 or 603- 669-2411

· By mail: Breathe New Hampshire, 9 Cedarwood Drive, Unit 12, Bedford, NH 03110

“We saved lots of money with our 2008 pass - enough money to pay for the cost of the books several times over. Remember to purchase one book per child since most discounts are “one child free with purchase of adult ticket,” said one happy customer.