The British Lung Foundation (BLF) and Barking and Dagenham NHS held a ‘Love Your Lungs’ campaign throughout November 2009 to alert Barking and Dagenham residents to the symptoms of a common lung disease called COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Why Barking and Dagenham?
Research showed that people in Barking and Dagenham are 55% more likely to be admitted to hospital with COPD than the UK average. It is the third highest 'hotspot' in the UK.
The BLF were keen to reach people who are unaware of the early symptoms which include breathlessness and a persistent cough. We therefore ran four events offering the public free lung function tests.
Key Statistics - Lung Function Testing Events
627 residents of Barking and Dagenham received a free lung function test
131 residents (21 %) were advised to visit their GP for a follow up consultation
Key Statistics - Telemarketing
5000 residents were contacted and offered free information packs
362 packs were sent for those experiencing symtoms of COPD
1536 packs were sent to those interested in learning more about lung health
Evaluation
72 % of those asked felt the event had increased awareness of COPD
32 % felt the events had impacted their day to day behaviour
25 % of those asked who were referred were diagnosed with COPD
Download the Barking & Dagenham Campaign Report
