Rates of Women with COPD Skyrockets: Dr. Roger Goldstein on Doctor's Notes
By
Jessica A. Boafo
Dr. Roger Goldstein has recently been published on Doctor's Notes, a weekly column by members of the U of T Faculty of Medicine in partnership with the Toronto Star. In the article entitled, "Rates of women with COPD skyrockets as more women take up smoking", research shows that in the last 15 years the number of women who are now suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has skyrocketed!
Recent estimates show more than 1.5 million Canadians are suffering from the disease and over the next six years, it is estimated there will be 100,000 more Ontarians living with COPD.
"Many women smokers say that they were encouraged to smoke by advertising campaigns in the ’60s and ’70s such as the now infamous “You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby” featuring cigarettes for women. These campaigns promoted smoking as a symbol of empowerment and equality. Sadly, that equality has translated to the equal burden of being unwell that they and their families experience".
According to research conducted at West Park Healthcare Centre by fellow colleague and RSI faculty memeber, Dr. Dina Brooks, less than five per cent of Canadians with COPD are eligible for pulmonary rehabilitation are able to access it.
To read the full article, visit thestar.ca and learn more about Dr. Goldstein's and Dr. Brooks' research!
