The Hawaii COPD Coalition was founded in Hawaii in 2007 to provide services and support to Hawaii's people affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and its related disorders, including care givers, healthcare professionals, family and friends through research, education and increasing public awareness including early screening and diagnosis.  (Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis are conditions included in COPD.) 

 

Hawaii COPD Coalition obtained funding and was instrumental in getting questions about the prevalence of COPD added to the 2007 Hawaii Health Survey.  It was also instrumental in getting a validated COPD question added to the 2008 Hawaii Behavior Risk Factors Surveilance System.

 

The Hawaii COPD Coalition organized three events with partners on November 2, 2007 featuring keynote speaker, Dr. James Kiley, Director of the Lung Division, National Heart Lung Blood Institute of the Department of Health:  Grand Rounds, a COPD Education Day, and a dinner and discussion with key stakeholders and policymakers. 

 

Hawaii COPD Coalition has received funding from the Hawaii Community Foundation (administering funds from the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund) for Project SUCCESS--Spirometry-Urged Cessation through Counseling Education and Sustained Support for 2008-2009.  Parterning with Longs Drugs, we will be conducting monthly lung testing sessions at Longs Moiilili and Longs at the Kam Shopping Center in Kalihi.  The co-leaders of the project are Valerie Chang and Dr. Paul Enright.  Our fiscal sponsor for the project is Community Links Hawaii.