title: International efforts directed at attacking the problem of COPD.
abstract: COPD is the only leading cause of death that is increasing in prevalence worldwide. The lack of international standardization in the diagnosis of COPD means that intercountry comparisons are difficult. This review highlights the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease, a program aimed at focusing attention on the importance of COPD as a global health problem, and designing and implementing consistent international strategies for effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Lung Diseases, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20827, USA. shurd@prodigy.net
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hurd
mesh_terms: D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D015996:Survival Rate; D014944:World Health Organization