Global initiative on COPD underway

Abstract

The World Congress on Lung Health in Florence, Italy (Aug 30-Sept 3) was the setting for the first GOLD workshop. The Global Initiative on Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (the GOLD initiative) is a new collaborative project between WHO and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in Bethesda, USA. The initiative, which is supported by industry, has the main aim of improving management and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worldwide. The initiative is also aimed at the global implementation of effective strategies for decreasing the morbidity and mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.