Combating chronic obstructive pulmonary/lung disease (COPD/COLD) by early recognition of risk factors

12^th Nursing and Healthcare Congress

October 03-05, 2016 Vancouver, Canada

Kathryn A. Blair

University of Colorado Colorado Springs, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide and some speculate COPD will reach the 3rd leading cause of death by 2020. Smoking and environmental pollution is well known to contribute to the development of COPD however, there are many other risk factors that are less well known and poorly understood. If health care providers are to facilitate a reduction in COPD deaths, it is imperative that providers recognize those at risk and intervene early. This presentation will discuss the lessor known risk factors for COPD such as alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency, prematurity, occupational hazards and others. Additionally, a discussion regarding vulnerable populations will be addressed. A summary of the results of a survey exploring Colorado advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioners) awareness of risk factors will be presented.

Biography :

Kathryn A. Blair is a professor at UCCS has been an educator and practicing advanced practice nurse (family nurse practitioner) for over 25 years. Dr. Blair had written 17 refereed journal articles, book chapters, serves on several editorial boards and is active in many professional nursing organizations.

Email: kblair3@uccs.edu