MI HR0417

Declares November 2018 as COPD Awareness Month in Michigan to raise awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

COPD affects over 24 million Americans nationwide and hundreds of thousands in Michigan, with over half undiagnosed and 70% under age 65.

COPD is the third leading cause of death for Michigan residents and kills more than 120,000 Americans annually, causing one death every 4 minutes.

Over 75% of COPD cases are attributed to smoking and are preventable; other risk factors include air pollution, secondhand smoke, and genetics.

Urges Michigan residents to use the awareness month to become informed about respiratory health and factors affecting it, emphasizing that early detection and treatment reduce costs and improve quality of life.