In Alabama, the American Lung Association (ALA) has started a new initiative to catch chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) earlier than before in rural areas of the state. Called the Reaching Rural Providers Initiative, ALA hopes the providers who use the tools will be able to diagnose COPD earlier, potentially saving the patient.
From the news release: “The Lung Association’s new Reaching Rural Providers initiative works to increase early diagnosis of COPD in rural communities across the nation. Resources are available nationwide, but additional focus will be on rural communities in six states with the highest estimates for COPD diagnosis, hospitalizations and death, which include Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia.
By completing an online form, rural healthcare providers can access printed patient-focused resources from both the American Lung Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI): Learn More Breathe Better Program. Resources available include a 90-minute, on-demand COPD Overview Course; a COPD Action Plan; NHLBI’s learn More Breathe Better resource, Are you at Risk?; links to online trainings; and more.”
To read the rest of the news release, click here.
To access the Reaching Rural Providers page, click here.
SOURCE: www.lung.org
