WORLD COPD DAY 2021

I spoke in a debate to mark world COPD Day - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - a day to raise awareness of this disease which is a leading cause of death worldwide and can have a debilitating effect on an individual’s quality of life. It affects roughly 3 million people in the UK, though it is estimated around 2 million cases are undiagnosed.

I highlighted how COPD is mainly caused by smoking and it is positive that smoking rates have fallen, particularly since Scotland led the UK with the 2006 ban on smoking in public places.

I welcomed the Scottish Government’s Respiratory Care Action Plan which seeks to improve prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support of people living with respiratory conditions like COPD, so they can leader fuller, healthier and happier lives.

Watch my speech below.