World COPD Day 2024: Raising Awareness for Better Lung Health

On 20 November 2024, I had the privilege of attending the World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day 2024 event, hosted by the Family Medicine Specialists’ Association (FMSA) and supported by AstraZeneca Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

The program began with welcome remarks by Dr Nor Hazlin Talib, Consultant Family Medicine Specialist and President of FMSA, who set the tone by emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and collaborative efforts in tackling COPD. The day’s theme, “Know Your Lung Function,” reinforced the need for greater public awareness of lung health.

COPD Panel Discussion
A significant highlight of the event was the COPD panel discussion moderated by Dr Azza Omar, Respiratory Physician at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II.

The esteemed panelists included:

• Dato Dr Mat Zuki Mat Jaeb, Respiratory Consultant and Medicine Department Head at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II
• Professor Dr Ahmad Izuanuddin Ismail, Deputy Director (Clinical) at Hospital Al-Sultan Abdullah Universiti Teknologi Mara
• Dr Sri Wahyu Taher, Consultant Family Medicine Specialist and Head of Clinic at Klinik Kesihatan Simpang Kuala, Alor Setar, Kedah
• Associate Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, Chairman of the Malaysia Medical Association (MMA) Action on Smoking and Health Committee

The discussion covered various critical aspects of COPD management, including:

• The Need for Paradigm Shifts in COPD Management
• What is COPD, Risk Factors, and Sharing of Patient Experience
• The Unmet Need of COPD Management in Malaysia
• The Role of Integrated and Multi-disciplinary Team Management of COPD
• The Need to Shift to Preventive Care and the Role of Primary Care
• How Private Healthcare Can Support Better Care and Management

Each speaker shared invaluable insights, from addressing the challenges of underdiagnosis to emphasizing the importance of preventive care. There was a strong focus on integrating multidisciplinary care to improve outcomes and how private healthcare could complement public health initiatives in managing COPD effectively.

Key Messages from Deputy Minister of Health
The event also featured an impactful speech by Yang Berhormat Dato Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Health. He stressed the rising burden of COPD both globally and in Malaysia, where chronic lower respiratory diseases, including COPD, rank among the top causes of death.

While I can feel my heartbeat, I can’t hear my lungs breathing, and hence, people tend to neglect the importance of healthy lungs, not just a healthy heart.

said Yang Berhormat Dato Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni

This simple yet profound statement underscores the silent role our lungs play in our daily lives, and why awareness about lung health is crucial.

The Burden of COPD
The Deputy Minister highlighted alarming statistics about COPD, a chronic lung disease that obstructs airflow and causes breathing difficulties. Globally, COPD is projected to become the third leading cause of death by 2030, and in Malaysia, it’s already a significant public health concern.

• In 2022, chronic lower respiratory diseases, including COPD, were the seventh leading cause of death in Malaysia, accounting for over 2,270 deaths.
• Major risk factors include cigarette smoke, air pollution, occupational hazards, and even genetic predispositions.

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, starting with better diagnosis and management.

Tackling Underdiagnosis
One of the standout points was the emphasis on addressing underdiagnosis. Many individuals mistake COPD symptoms—like chronic cough or shortness of breath—as signs of aging or other ailments.

“How many of us in this room actually know how healthy our lungs are?” Dato Lukanisman posed this thought-provoking question, reminding everyone to take the time to understand their lung health.

Improving public awareness and equipping primary care practitioners, such as GPs and family medicine specialists, to screen and diagnose early are vital steps. The free lung function tests offered at the event were a great example of accessible health initiatives.

We also witnessed the official handover of White Paper on COPD to the Deputy Minister of Health in the event.

Legislative Action: Act 852
The Malaysian government has begun enforcing Act 852, which imposes strict regulations on the sale and display of tobacco and vape products. The Act prohibits the sale of these products through online platforms and vending machines with immediate effect, while businesses must comply with the retail display ban by April 2025.

Dato Lukanisman emphasized that these measures are designed to protect youth and reduce smoking rates, with the goal of significantly decreasing smoking and vaping behaviors. This, in turn, is expected to help alleviate the burden of COPD in Malaysia.

Public-Private Partnerships
Collaboration was another key theme. The Deputy Minister called for strengthened partnerships between the public and private sectors to improve diagnostic rates, advance treatment options, and support clinical research. This united front, he said, is essential for sustainable healthcare.

Prioritizing Lung Health for a Better Future
As the event concluded, I gained a deeper appreciation of the importance of lung health in overall well-being. The message was clear: addressing COPD requires a united effort from all sectors of society, with continued support and dedication to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected.

For anyone reading this, now is the perfect time to learn about COPD, its risk factors, and steps to protect your lungs. Let’s work together to create a healthier future where lung health is a priority for everyone.

Media Launch of Breztri Aerosphere®
The event was followed by the media launch of Breztri Aerosphere®, a new COPD treatment by AstraZeneca, where Mr Vinod Narayanan, Country President AstraZeneca Malaysia gave any insightful speech, followed by a launch video presentation and photo op.

Our latest triple combination therapy, Breztri Aerosphere®, has evidence across several clinical trials demonstrating reduction in flare-ups and COPD related hospitalisations. AstraZeneca’s aim is to reverse the progression of COPD, transform treatment goals and improve patient outcomes.

Added Mr Vinod Narayanan, Country President AstraZeneca Malaysia

AstraZeneca
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Respiratory & Immunology 
Respiratory & Immunology, part of AstraZeneca BioPharmaceuticals is a key disease area and growth driver to the Company. AstraZeneca is an established leader in respiratory care with a 50-year heritage and a growing portfolio of medicines in immune-mediated diseases. The Company is committed to addressing the vast unmet needs of these chronic, often debilitating, diseases with a pipeline and portfolio of inhaled medicines, biologics and new modalities aimed at previously unreachable biologic targets. Our ambition is to deliver life-changing medicines that help eliminate COPD as a leading cause of death, eliminate asthma attacks and achieve clinical remission in immune-mediated diseases.