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November 20, 2024
World COPD Day highlights testing needs
Atereano Mateariki
Posted On November 20, 2024
Download AudioToday is World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day, a condition that affects approximately 15% of Aotearoa New Zealanders over the age of 45.
Professor of Medicine at Otago University, Dr. Lutz Beckert says COPD is caused by exposure to vapors and smoke, which can come from home cooking, smoking, or workplace environments.
He says it is a misconception that recreational smoking is the primary cause of COPD, sharing a colleague’s account of a patient who developed the disease through other exposures.
“This women had worked as a cleaner, and she was exposed to fumes from cleaning fluid, which caused significantly aggravated her lung disease, and she managed to get some ACC compensation, just to be aware that there’s more to COPD than just smoking, and that we can prevent it. It’s actually really important,” says Beckert.
Lutz Beckert says medical experts are advocating for improved access to lung testing to enhance prevention and treatment efforts.
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