Scientific and Lay Organizations

Scientific Organizations

COPD is a disease that affects the lung. However, the co-morbidities associated with COPD may be many and therefore the disease is addressed by multiple professional groups. COPD researchers interact with other scientists through membership in a number of national and international scientific organizations that focus on lung research, genetics, asthma and allergies, or family medicine practice.

Participation in these organizations includes sessions, symposia and presentations at annual meetings, and development of national and international standards and best practices in their respective fields. Some organizations that have featured COPD presentations or sessions at their meetings, or where COPD organizations focus awareness efforts include:

• American Academy of Family Practitioners (AAFP)
• American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Disease (AACVPR)
• American Association of Respiratory and Critical Care (AARC)
• American College of Physicians (ACP)
• American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
• American Thoracic Society (ATS)
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)
• Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• The National Jewish Medical and Research Center

Lay Organizations

COPD organizations include scientific and lay (patient-centered) organizations. This includes patient groups organized to help each other through education, support and advocacy.

• COPD Foundation
• The American Lung Association
• National Lung Health Education Program (NLHEP)
• Alpha1 Association
• Alpha-1 Foundation
• COPD-Support, Inc.
• EFFORTS
• National Emphysema Foundation

Federal Agencies

• Surgeon General: The Virtual Office of the Surgeon General
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health
• National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services