DocTalk Tweet Chat "COPD Burdens" Scheduled for October 4

There are a number of public health crises influencing the burden and rate of respiratory disease in the US today. Perhaps the greatest—and most concerning—of these disease manifestations is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which now ranks among the leading causes of death among Americans.

What are the solutions to the problems surrounding this condition?

In this week’s #DocTalk Tweet Chat, MeiLan K. Han, MD, of the American Lung Association (ALA) joins MD Magazine® for a discussion on the current burden of COPD in the US.

#DocTalk is a weekly conversation featured on Twitter that focuses on the biggest issues in healthcare today. Join us Friday, October 4, at 9 AM EST for the start of our chat, featuring co-host MeiLan K. Han, MD, spokesperson for the ALA (@LungAssociation).

Han, a professor of Internal Medicine at the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, and Director of the Michigan Airways Program, will lead talks on the following questions and topics:

• COPD rates among US patients have increased in past years. Where does it rank among other concerning respiratory conditions?
• What are the greatest threats to increased/worsened rates of COPD?
• Smoking rates have decreased nationally, yet persist in regions of the US—driving COPD prevalence. How can regional public health issues like these be addressed by physicians?
• What is our absolute best hope for treating or controlling COPD symptoms? How are new therapies figuring into treatment?
• What are the best non-pharmaceutical treatment options for COPD?
• How do factors such as environmental health and diet influence chronic respiratory disease?
• What is the ALA currently doing to advance COPD research, care, and education?

We invite all interested Twitter users to participate in the chat and contribute their own perspective and questions.

Be sure to search for “#DocTalk,” follow MD Mag on Twitter (@MDMagazine), and look for the social media icon signifying the chat:

If you’re a frequent Twitter user with a background in healthcare and interest in leading a #DocTalk chat with your colleagues, contact us here.