The Canadian Cohort Obstructive Lung Disease (CanCOLD) study is a longitudinal study following 1,500 participants in Canada since 2009. CanCOLD aims to enhance the current understanding of COPD progression and burden, and to better advance COPD prevention, diagnosis and management. Public and private investments of more than $14,000,000 have allowed the CanCOLD study to produce policy-relevant knowledge and innovative solutions that have positive impacts on public health and clinical practice. CanCOLD leverages partnerships between researchers and organizations, and also provides opportunities for graduate students to be trained and young investigators to participate in innovative respiratory health research projects in many institutions across Canada.
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COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a group of diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and non-reversible asthma. COPD results in inflammation and partial blocking of the airways (breathing tubes) in an individual’s lungs, thereby making breathing difficult.
COPD is a long-term disease that tends to get worse over time, and significantly impacts an individual’s health and autonomy. In Canada, 2 million people are living with COPD, a major cause of disability and one of the leading causes of deaths.
leading cause of death
worldwide
cause of hospitalization
in Canada
in direct and indirect costs
annually in Canada
