New Free Program to Provide Critical Support and Resources to Kentuckians Living With COPD

Nearly 12% of Kentuckians live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a long-term, progressive lung disease that causes difficulty breathing. In fact, Kentucky is one of the top 10 states in the country with the highest burden of COPD. To provide support and improve the lives of people in Kentucky living with COPD, the American Lung Association is launching the new Living Well with COPD program.

Living Well with COPD provides free one-on-one COPD support, education and resources tailored for every stage of the disease. The program is created for all Kentuckians affected by COPD, and their families, with a focus on people in rural areas who may face barriers to healthcare, including long distances to hospitals and other resources.

“For Kentuckians living with COPD, an evolving treatment plan, regular visits with a healthcare provider and lifestyle modifications can help them breathe better and live full, active lives,” said Shannon Baker, Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in Kentucky. “Unfortunately, many individuals, especially those living in rural Kentucky, lack the support and access to essential care and resources. This new free program is dedicated to helping everyone in Kentucky impacted by this disease.”

COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, limits airflow and worsens over time. While there is no cure for COPD, there are treatments that can improve daily symptoms and quality of life. Unfortunately, people living in rural areas, as well as people with lower income levels and less than a high school degree, are more likely to have worse outcomes due to barriers to optimal treatment and care.

Nationally, 11.1 million people are living with COPD. Here in Kentucky:

• 11.7% of Kentuckians, or 409,628 people, have been diagnosed with COPD;
• 3,339 Kentuckians die each year from COPD;
• The annual cost of COPD treatment is $487 million; and
• 307,500 workdays are lost each year due to COPD.

Working with rural partners and referral networks, along with local healthcare providers in Kentucky, the Lung Association is:  

• Expanding access to the free Lung Health Navigator program. Lung Health Navigators are licensed healthcare professionals, including registered nurses and respiratory therapists, who offer free and customized one-on-one support to help people and caregivers throughout their COPD journey. People can meet with a Lung Health Navigator over the phone, through an online chat, or a video call, depending on an individual’s preference and schedule. To connect with a Lung Health Navigator, call 866-252-2959, or visit Lung.org/navigator. The first 100 people with COPD who enroll in the Lung Health Navigator program by November 30, 2025 will receive a free air cleaner. Details are available here.
• Creating and distributing new educational materials for people with COPD to empower them to improve communication with their healthcare provider, better understand available COPD treatments and improve quality of life.
   
• Supporting rural and other healthcare providers to improve COPD care, better understand COPD treatment options and build strong, trusting relationships with their patients.

For more information, contact the Lung Association’s HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA. To learn more about COPD, visit Lung.org/copd. 

Support for the Living Well with COPD educational campaign was provided by Sanofi and Regeneron, AstraZeneca, Genentech and GSK.