ResMed Publishes Educational Resource for COPD Awareness Month

By Admin

In recognition of COPD Awareness Month, a designation made by the American Lung Association, medical equipment giant ResMed has published a new educational resource to further inform the public about this highly prevalent disorder. One of the top-three causes of mortality worldwide, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, affects millions of Americans, including many who are not aware that they have the disease. Throughout 2019, ResMed has increased its focus on COPD to better serve the growing numbers of individuals who suffer from its symptoms on a daily basis, many needing supplemental oxygen to sustain their bodies and continue living normal lives. After releasing its Mobi compact oxygen concentrator in early 2019, ResMed announced its acquisition of Propeller Health, a company that uses sensors to improve inhaler devices and document their use. As the month of November comes to a close, the company’s free-access resources commemorate the occasion by spreading awareness of COPD online, helping patients and health providers throughout the world.

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a general term consisting of a number of pulmonary conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. According to the World Health Organization, over 250 million people have COPD worldwide, and the number of deaths caused by COPD diseases is on the rise. The American Lung Association estimates that 15.3 million Americans are currently diagnosed with some form of COPD, while several additional millions likely have COPD without knowing it. COPD is caused primarily by cigarette smoking, but also by exposure to combustion indoors, harmful air in workplaces, and air pollution in the environment. While cigarette smoking is declining in most countries, the number of smokers in the world is still rising due to population expansion. And in some areas, such as the Eastern Mediteranean, smoking has increased in recent years. The overall death rate among smokers, according to the World Health Organization’s Global report on tobacco trends, is at 6 million and growing, mostly in low- to middle-income countries where pollution is also a major problem. More than 90 percent of COPD deaths occur in low-income and middle-income countries. Despite improvements in indoor pollution and work environments, these trends show that the causes of COPD, and therefore its prevention, remains as important, if not more important, than its treatment. In recent years, treatment of COPD has consisted of oxygen therapy, often accompanied by noninvasive ventilation (NIV), which is similar to continuous positive airway presskure (CPAP) for sleep apnea, but differs in respect to its capabilities. ResMed uses the term VPAP, or variable positive airway pressure, to describe its advanced BiLevel (BiPAP) devices designed specifically to treat COPD. For example, the ResMed Astral 100 and AirCurve 10 ST-A devices, are variable-pressure machines with cloud-connected services that make them ideal for in-home ventilation. Studies have shown that NIV treatment can reduce COPD symptoms, leading to a better quality of life, and in some cases, stop the condition from progressing. While supplemental oxygen systems such as the ResMed Mobi can be used to improve arterial oxygen saturation, the use of NIV can support lung function and enhance gas exchange with comfort, using variable flow rates that help the patient sleep. Although these treatments can be highly effective, access to treatment remains a difficult challenge in many areas of the world. One of the main problems is the availability of therapy equipment in lower income countries, and where health insurance plans are limited. To address this, ResMed and other COPD treatment advocates are using their online media presence not only to increase awareness of the disease, but also to expand the current network of resources and promote healthcare solutions worldwide.

The ResMed COPD Resource Page

The ResMed COPD Resource Page is a web page dedicated to the support, treatment, and education of COPD patients, as well as the promotion of business resources for health organizations and providers. The resource emphasizes digital health solutions through the use of its Propeller Health application and expansive cloud-based health services network. Throughout 2019, ResMed has increased its COPD portfolio in both its product line and marketing focus. Along with the new Mobi, its advanced NIV machines, and the new Propeller app, the company can serve patients at most stages of the disease, from mild to moderate to severe. Reducing the impact of this prevalent disease will not be easy, but the more that companies like ResMed service the COPD patient community, the more likely it will become. According to their website, one of the company’s stated goals is to “change lives with every breath by building products that treat sleep apnea, COPD and other chronic respiratory diseases.”

The COPD National Action Plan

In acquiring Propeller Health, ResMed is hoping to expand both its COPD treatment product line, and its digital health network of cloud-based services. The acquistion’s goal, in part, is to improve ResMed’s partnerships with health systems, insurers, employers, government institutions, and health groups that service the patient community. Propeller promotes products and services aimed at increasing adherence to treatment, which is one of the largest challenges for PAP therapy, NIV therapy, and oxygen therapy patients, especially among newer patients. These conditions can often overlap, creating need for specialized treatments that target each of the underlying conditions. The more resources that are made available, the easier it is for patients to understand their conditions and take initiative in seeking treatment. The theme for this year’s COPD Awareness Month was “Learn More, Breathe Better,” also the title of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s public education campaign. In 2017, at the request of the United States Congress, the NHLBI implemented the first-ever COPD National Action Plan, which emphasized collaboration and networking within the healthcare business community. ResMed’s contribution, as a company with considerable public attention and influence, honors the National Action Plan by expanding the existing framework and connecting patients all over the world to resources that help recognize, diagnose, and treat the conditions of COPD.