World COPD Day is organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in collaboration with health care professionals and COPD patient groups throughout the world. Its aim is to raise awareness, share knowledge, and discuss ways to reduce the burden of COPD worldwide.
Each year GOLD chooses a theme and coordinates preparation and distribution of World COPD Day materials and resources. World COPD Day activities are organized in each country by health care professionals, educators, and members of the public who want to help make an impact locally and worldwide.
The first World COPD Day was held in 2002. Each year organizers in more than 50 countries have carried out activities, making the day one of the world's most important COPD awareness and education events.
The 2024 theme for World COPD Day is “Know Your Lung Function." World COPD Day takes place on November 20th. This year's theme aims to highlight the importance of measuring lung function, also known as spirometry. Although spirometry is an integral tool for diagnosing COPD, it can also be used to measure lung health throughout life. We now know that there are many other factors besides tobacco smoke that can contribute to COPD. Our lungs are continuing to grow, from the womb all the way through young adulthood. Throughout this period we are vulnerable to insults such as air pollution and respiratory infections that can impede lung growth and increase our risk for developing chronic lung disease later in life. Unfortunately, much lung function can be lost before we develop symptoms. Lung function is a not only a predictor of lung health, but our overall health. Even small decrements in lung function are associated with increased risk of death. Measuring lung function throughout life can provide opportunities for early diagnosis and prompt treatment of multiple lung diseases, including COPD.