Knowledge and a proper diagnosis important part of taking a positive, active approach to managing COPD NOVEMBER MARKS COPD AWARENESS MONTH Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD affects about 24 million people in the US, yet about half of those afflicted wait months and sometimes years before receiving a proper diagnosis. COPD is a disease of the lungs that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema or both and is characterized by obstruction to airflow that interferes with normal breathing. COPD remains under-diagnosed, under-assessed and under-treated. It is a complex and progressive disease that can be discouraging for patients and physicians. Yet there are many things you can do to manage your condition and improve quality of life, such as regular physical activity, a positive approach, reducing flare-ups and working with your HCP to determine the treatment options right for you. No one knows this better than Sean Cummings, who was diagnosed with COPD nearly 5 years ago. Although he strives to get the most out of each day, since his diagnosis he admits to sometimes feeling discouraged about not being able to do everything he wants, but speaking with his physician about doing everything they can to help manage his condition has helped. Up to 80 percent of patients already have moderate to severe COPD when they are first diagnosed, and have already lost significant lung capacity. Thatâ??s why understanding the severity of the disease at the time of diagnosis is so important in order to receive proper treatment and effectively manage the disease. Sean Cummings and a COPD expert will be available to bring awareness and understanding of COPD to your audience, and outline ways to manage the often-challenging symptoms of COPD, both physically and mentally, and showcase that patients can take a positive, active approach to managing the disease INTERVIEW WITH: David Mannino. M.D. helped to launch the COPD Foundation after his retirement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2004, where he worked in the Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch. At the COPD he served as a board member from 2004 through 2015, chairman of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee from 2010 through 2015, and Chief Scientific Officer from 2015 to 2017. Dr. Mannino recently joined GlaxoSmithKline as a regional medical expert. Sean Cummings, COPD patient