Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of conditions and diseases that include emphysema, chronic bronchitis and sometimes, asthma. For employers, COPD is a primary source for disability with smoking being a primary risk factor for COPD.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoke is the most common irritant that causes COPD. Other things may aggravate this condition including secondhand smoke, air pollution, and chemical fumes and dust from the workplace.
“Comprehensive worksite wellness initiatives with a robust smoking cessation program can help prevent or manage the risk of COPD …” said Ron Loeppke, MD, MPH, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) President-elect.
To bring awareness to this costly disease, the ACOEM is providing a free on-line calculator that estimates the overall total health-related costs to employers at http://www.acoem.org/HPBlueprint.aspx .
“At Emergency One, we are committed to helping businesses save money on healthcare costs while providing a healthy workplace for their employees,” said Todd Martin, COO, EVP, “Our Occupational Health division can help you find the right smoking cessation program or other educational and treatment options to keep your employees on the job.”
For a free downloadable poster, click here: COPD_Lung_Poster-2 For more information, please contact us at 845.338.5600.