Assessing the impact of health policies on COPD.

UNLABELLED

COPD is a leading but under-recognized cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the world, and the fifth commonest cause of death in England and Wales, accounting for nearly 28,000 deaths each year.

METHODS

the author analyses systematically the national policies around chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as the long term smoking cessation and NICE and BTS recommendations on COPD. Finding/conclusion: the analysis of current national policies on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease leads to a discussion to justify the need for a National Service Framework on this chronic disease. The current and future impact on local implementation is also analysed.