{"id":16368,"date":"2025-11-21T16:44:36","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T21:44:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=16368"},"modified":"2025-11-21T16:44:36","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T21:44:36","slug":"crater-health-district-promotes-copd-awareness","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/archived-news-releases\/2025-regional-news-releases\/crater-health-district-promotes-copd-awareness\/","title":{"rendered":"Crater Health District Promotes COPD Awareness"},"content":{"rendered":"

November 21, 2025
\nMedia Contact: <\/strong>Tara Rose, Tara.Rose@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

Crater Health District Promotes COPD Awareness<\/strong>
\nNovember is National COPD Awareness Month<\/em><\/p>\n

PETERSBURG, Va. \u2013 Nearly 7% of adults in Virginia<\/a> are living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). In 2023, 7.1% of adults had COPD. For National COPD Awareness Month<\/a>, the Crater Health District wants to educate people about the disease, its risks and resources. COPD<\/a> is a group of lung diseases that can cause airflow and breathing problems and gets worse over time.<\/p>\n

\u201cCOPD is a serious disease, but it can be managed with early detection and the appropriate treatment,\u201d said Crater Health District Director Alton Hart, Jr., MD, MPH, MDiv. \u201cIf you have a cough that won\u2019t go away or trouble catching your breath, reach out to your healthcare provider.\u201d<\/p>\n

COPD<\/a> is a leading cause of death in the United States. COPD can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, and a persistent cough. These symptoms<\/a> can make everyday activities such as walking or climbing stairs difficult.<\/p>\n

The main cause of COPD is smoking. Quit Now Virginia<\/a> can help you make a plan to quit smoking. It\u2019s free to all Virginians 13 and older.<\/p>\n

Other risk factors include:<\/p>\n