HARRISBURG – Sen. Lisa Baker’s resolution designating November as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month in Pennsylvania passed the Senate unanimously today.
In remarks offered on the Senate floor, Baker (R-20th) noted that COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the commonwealth. The disease, for which there is no cure, is a term used to describe airflow obstruction that is associated mainly with emphysema and chronic bronchitis and affects an estimated 714,000 Pennsylvania residents. Nationwide, 24 million Americans are diagnosed with COPD and approximately 140,000 are killed by the disease.
Andrew M. Seder
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