COPD Management Program Reaches Latino Community : Pulmones Libres / Breathe Free

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States. Unfortunately, many in our community don’t know that.

COPD is a lung disease that blocks airways of the lungs making it hard to breathe. Over time, as the disease progresses, breathlessness can become worse. COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. BREATHE LA is leading the effort to provide COPD awareness, education and medical referrals to the Los Angeles Latino community with Pulmones Libres / Breathe Free.

( COPD in Spanish - La EPOC en Espanol )

Through an initiative funded by Queenscare, BREATHE LA will begin holding COPD management classes, or Better Breathers Clubs, through our new Pulmones Libres / Breathe Free program in selected communities in Los Angeles. The classes will serve people who believe they may be showing symptoms of the disease and would like more information about it. After attending classes, participants can be referred to a health care provider if necessary. Outreach efforts will include community workshops, visits to local service providers, churches and senior centers,and other community gathering places to provide general information on COPD. By successfully implementing the Pulmones Libres program in the Los Angeles Latino community, BREATHE LA ultimate goal is to create a lung health community benefit program to reach all of Los Angeles’ varying ethnic and cultural communities.

For more information on the Pulmones Libres / Breathe Free program or COPD, please contact Everardo Alvizo or by phone
323-935-8050 extension 230

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