ABSTRACT
There is virtually no part of the world that is not affected by chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD); therefore, efforts to address the serious impact of this disease
have had a global dimension fromvery early on. Landmark reports on global health (1,2),
highlighting the current burden of disease and predicting a dramatic rise inmorbidity and
mortality fromCOPD, have focused the minds of clinicians and public health physicians
on the potential to turn these devastating statistics around. Epidemiologic data indicating
the rise in the burden of COPD against a background of impressive falls in mortality and
prevalence of other chronic diseases further emphasize the urgent need to implement
strategies to curb the growth of COPD (3,4). The development of regional and global
guidelines for COPD care has been one vital strategy in the promotion of lung health and
the prevention and optimal management of COPD (5,6).
