AMSTERDAM, Nov. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ahead of World COPD
Day on November 15, Royal Philips
(NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a leader in health technology, today
announced the launch of a global movement to raise awareness for
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is the fourth
leading cause of death worldwide and is estimated to be the third
leading cause by 2020,[1] but there is a lack
of awareness and social stigma associated with the disease. Only
about half of the estimated 210 million people with the disease
have been officially diagnosed.[2] In an effort to break these
barriers, Philips is collaborating with COPD athlete Russell Winwood to create motivational content
designed to help educate, engage and empower COPD patients and
their caregivers. To further amplify the message, Philips has
committed to donating $1 to The COPD
Foundation for every campaign video share throughout COPD Awareness
month, November.
"COPD is among the most common, underdiagnosed, debilitating,
deadly and costly diseases to manage," said Dr. Teofilo Lee-Chiong, Chief Medical Liaison at
Philips. "People can't find solutions for a problem they don't know
they have or implement solutions they don't know exist. At Philips,
we are committed to making lives better for COPD patients, from
education to developing innovative therapy solutions, and that with
the right diagnosis, management plan and support group, people
diagnosed with COPD can still live a full and active life."
Philips is working with Russell
Winwood to share his personal journey with other COPD
patients and inspire them to live their lives to the fullest. After
being diagnosed with COPD, Russell found it difficult to move
forward with his everyday routine; however, just six months after
his diagnosis, he completed his first full Ironman and continues to
participate in triathlons around the world, showing that a COPD
diagnosis does not need to stop patients from enjoying their
favorite activities. For recently diagnosed COPD patients, Winwood
shares his advice for living well:
- Knowledge: Understand what it means to
have COPD. Patients should work with their doctor to create a
customized action plan to help track progress.
- Treatment: While there is no cure for COPD, there
are many treatment options including prescription drugs, positive
airway pressure (PAP) therapy, portable oxygen concentrators, and
ventilation therapy that can help patients maintain a better
quality of life. By researching and having a strong understanding
of the treatment options available, patients can have a more
educated conversation with physicians about care plans.
- Nutrition: A healthy diet is incredibly important
for COPD patients as a poor diet can make symptoms worse and affect
the ability to exercise. The right nutrition can even help patients
breathe easier.
- Exercise: Exercise can help improve
cardio-respiratory fitness level by strengthening large muscle
groups within one's body while also improving circulation.
"I first heard of COPD when I was diagnosed, and I was
devastated," said Winwood. "I wish I understood that this wasn't a
death sentence, and it doesn't mean you have to give up the things
you love. With the support of my wife and family, I vowed that I
wouldn't allow this disease to take control of my life."
Philips offers patient-inspired COPD and respiratory disease
management solutions that support each stage of the health
continuum – from healthy living, through diagnosis, treatment and
homecare – all while empowering consumers to live the active
lifestyle they desire. The wide variety of Philips therapy
solutions for COPD patients include OptiChamber Diamond spacer,
InnoSpire Go next-generation portable mesh nebulizer that provides
fast and efficient aerosol drug delivery, SimplyGo Mini lightweight
portable oxygen concentrator, DreamStation Advanced Therapies, and
Trilogy hospital-to-home ventilators. DreamStation and Trilogy now
connect patients, payers, providers and physicians via Care
Orchestrator, turning medical-grade data in to actionable
information.
For more information about Russell's story, Philips COPD
solutions, or to help spread the message in support of COPD
patients worldwide, please visit Philips.com/WorldCOPDDay. For
every campaign video share, Philips will donate $1 to further globalize the impact of The COPD
Foundation. By donating to The COPD Foundation, Philips will help
extend the organization's ability to educate, engage and empower
patients, providers and physicians all over the world. Follow the
World COPD Day 2017 conversation on Twitter: @PhilipsHealth and
@PhilipsResp.
For further information, please contact:
Meredith Amoroso
Philips Sleep and Respiratory Care
Mobile: +1 724-584-8991
E-mail: meredith.amoroso@philips.com
Elena Calamo Specchia
Philips Group Press Office
Mobile: +31 6 25004735
E-mail: elena.calamo.specchia@philips.com
About Royal
Philips
Royal Philips
(NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company
focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes
across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to
diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced
technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver
integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in
diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and
health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care.
Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2016 sales of
EUR 17.4 billion and employs
approximately 73,000 employees with sales and services in more than
100 countries. News about Philips can be found
at www.philips.com/newscenter.
[1]Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. 2017.
Retrieved from:
http://goldcopd.org/gold-2017-global-strategy-diagnosis-management-prevention-copd
[2] COPD Foundation, COPD Uncovered Report. 2011. Retrieved from:
https://www.copdfoundation.org/pdfs/copd-uncovered-report-2011.pdf
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SOURCE Royal Philips