Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): useful links

The World Health Organisation COPD web-pages provide a range of information on COPD including global estimates of the prevalence and burden of COPD and its risk factors.

The Lung and Asthma Information Agency (LAIA) provide epidemiological data on lung disease, including COPD, in the UK.

The 2006 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines include a chapter on the burden of COPD which discusses COPD epidemiology.

The Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland (LTCAS) is an alliance of voluntary and community organisations working with long term conditions, including COPD.

The Met Office Healthy Outlook COPD Forecast Alert Service is a computer based health forecasting service for healthcare providers which aims to trigger appropriate delivery of anticipatory care to patients with COPD.

The European Respiratory Society produced the European Lung White book (2003) which provides broad comparisons of COPD prevalence and mortality amongst European countries.

The British Thoracic Society website contains various resources relating to COPD.

The American Thoracic Society website includes a wide range of useful resources on COPD.

The Primary Care Respiratory Society (formerly the GP Airways Group - GPIAG) has useful resources for primary care including opinion sheets and primary care focussed summaries of guidelines.

The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) has a range of resources including useful smoking cessation guidance for primary care.

The British Lung Foundation website includes general information on COPD for patients and professionals. The BLF has also produced the Invisible Lives Report (3.36MB) which maps the risk of COPD hospital admission by geographical area and also identifies ‘Hot Spots’ for COPD in the UK.

Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) provides general COPD resources.