Nov. 16: Florida Hospital DeLand Hosts COPD Health Fair

DELAND, Fla. November is national Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month and Nov. 16 is World COPD Day.

In recognition of these national and international health observances, Florida Hospital DeLand will host a free COPD Health Fair for the community on World COPD Day, Nov. 16, from noon 2 pm in Classrooms ABC, 701 W. Plymouth Ave., DeLand.

Attendees will receive free health screenings and COPD testing, and will have an opportunity to learn about the risks, symptoms, and treatments for COPD.

COPD is a term used to include two forms of lung disease: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. If you have been diagnosed with either of these two lung diseases, you have COPD.

COPD is a progressive disease that develops slowly and makes it hard to breathe. It can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms. Symptoms often worsen over time and can limit the ability to do routine activities.

Nationwide, COPD is a major cause of disability and is the third leading cause of death. Locally, the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County issued a data brief, stating that COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in Volusia County.

Currently, millions of people have the disease, but many others may have the disease and not even know it. It is estimated that 40 percent of the workforce over the age of 50 may have undiagnosed COPD. Many people attribute their undiagnosed COPD symptoms to the side effects of the aging process, being out of shape, and possibly being overweight.

While there is currently no cure for COPD, many patients can live a quality life with early diagnosis and proper medication.

About Florida Hospital DeLand

Florida Hospital DeLand is a member of Adventist Health System, a faith-based health care organization with 46 hospital campuses and nearly 8,200 licensed beds in 10 states. With 164-beds, Florida Hospital DeLand is one of the six Florida Hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties that composes the Florida Hospital East Florida Region. As the largest hospital system in the area, the Florida Hospital East Florida Region has 923 beds and more than 6,000 employees. With a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ, the Florida Hospital East Florida Region collectively contributed nearly $120 million in benefits in 2015 to the underprivileged, the community's overall health and wellness and spiritual needs, and capital improvements.