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Show Lung Association Still Seeking Better Treatment Among the statistics cited by the Christmas Seal People regarding lung disease in Aremica today are the following: Nearly 18 million American suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), that affect the lower respiratory tract. Of these, there are 7.9 million with asthma (2.4 million of whom are children); 7.7 million with bronchitis; 2.3 million with emphysema. Deaths attributed to COPD has Increased 25 percent since 1970. Asthma, the most common chronic disease of childhood, is also the major cause of school absenteeism, responsible for the loss of 8 million school days annually. Occupational lung disease such as byssinosis, which is caused by textile dust and which affects an estimated 35,000 Americans, and asbestosis and silicosis, which affect 100,000 workers are the number-one cause of work-related disease and Injury. Chronic sinusitis, a condition of the upper respiratory tract, will afflict 27 million of our citizens in 1985. And hay fever, whose symptoms make the warm weather a miserable time of year for its sufferer, will affect 19 million Americans this year. Pneumonia is the leading cause of death by infectious disease in the U.S. It its particularly dangerous to those over age 65 and those with previously-existing lung illness or heart conditions. Pneumonia is expected to strike over 3 million Americans this year. Influenza, which can be prevented in most cases with annual vaccination, can also be a life-threatening illness to the elderly and those with other heart or lung conditions. About 75 million people will suffer bounts of flu in 1985. Though tuberculosis is no longer the major threat to life it once was, It was yet to be eradicated and . 22,225 new cases of TB are expected by the end of 1985. And as for the common cold, anticipate a whopping 93 million cases before this year's holiday season is ended. Steenblik urges Utahns to support Christmas Seals with a generous gift and says, "Take care of your lungs. They're only human." Lung disease are the third most common cause of death in the United States today, according to the American Lung Assocation of Utah the Christmas Seal People. About 30 percent of the American public 86 million men, women and children suffer from some from of chronic respiratory illness, says It. James Steenblik, presidnet. Besides the cost in human suffering, the direct economic cost of lung disease to the nation is expected to reach a staggering $30 billion in 1985. Lung cancer remains this coun try's most deadly form of cancer. "It is a frightening fact that the incidence of lung cancer in American Women has risen 500 percent in the last 20 years," says Steenblik. The disease is already the leading cancer killer among men and the U.S. Surgeon General expects that lung cancer will soon surpass breast cancer as the foremost cancer killer of American women. Only 10 percent of lung cancer patients live five or more years after diagnosis. According to the Utah association, much of the premature death and disability caused by lung disease is unnecesary and can be prevented. Cigarette smoking causes 80 to 90 percent of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Other lung diseases Including respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in adults are still not fully understood and require additional research to find improved means of prevention and treatment. Steenblik says the American Lung Association was founded in 1904 to combat tuberculosis, then the nations' greatest health menace. Today its mission is to control and prevent all lung diseases and some of their related causes, including smoking, air pollution and occupational lung hazards. It is supported primarily by public contributions to Christmas Seals, those small, decorative stamps that arrive in the mail to over 60 million American households each holiday season. Funds raised by Christmas Seals support health education, research and patient services in Utah. |
