Effects of lung disease on society

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Effects of Emphysema on society

Employment

Symptoms of Emphysema include chronic coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Often these symptoms are triggered or worsened by physical exertion or stress. When your lung disease is severe enough, it can impact your ability to perform meaningful work or maintain gainful employment.

Health care system

There has been a steady increase in the number of lung transplants performed in Canada, but the number of patients on waiting lists for lung transplantation continues to rise.

Economy

Although Canada and most of its peer countries have seen a decrease in respiratory diseases over the past few decades, aging populations in developed countries are expected to lead to a surge in these diseases in the future.

Respiratory diseases exert a significant economic impact on the Canadian health care system. Presently, almost 6.5% of total health care costs were related to respiratory diseases (not including lung cancer). This accounts for nearly $5.70 billion in direct (visible) costs of health care, such as for hospitalization, physician visits, research and drugs, as well as an additional $6.72 billion for less visible (indirect) expenses associated with disability and mortality.

Family

People said that when they first told family members about their Emphysema they were usually met with expressions of shock, fear, and distress - some did not know how to react and seemed embarrassed. Relationships within families can change as the result of illness, and sometimes news of the diagnosis helped to bring family members closer together. Some patients became aware of how important they were to their family and friends.

Media

EFFORTS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of individuals who suffer with Emphysema, a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Its members are committed to the goals of the organization.

Individual

The true burden of sleep disordered breathing in Canada is not known, but it is thought to be very common. Sleep disordered breathing is associated with reduced quality of life, decreased cardiovascular health and increased health care utilization, transportation accidents and mortality. Since obesity is a major risk factor for sleep apnea, efforts to promote healthy weights will have the greatest impact on the prevention of this disease.