Growing Need for Long-Term Oxygen Therapy is Focus of Denver Conference Aug. 26-28

News Advisory:

— Growing Need for Long-Term Oxygen Therapy Is Focus of Denver Conference Aug. 26-28

— Experts Seek to Improve Treatment for 14 Million Americans Who Suffer from Chronic Lung Disease and Low Blood Oxygen Levels

Today, baby boomers and younger Americans may hit an oxygen bar for a quick health high. But in the not-too-distant future, millions of them will need long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in order to function.

Doctors, clinicians, patients, and experts from all aspects of oxygen therapy will tackle the oxygen needs of millions of Americans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory problems during the Sixth Oxygen Consensus Conference, Aug. 26 – 28 in Denver. The group will discuss problems confronting LTOT patients and develop action plans for addressing the problems.

WHO: Physicians, respiratory therapists, homecare providers, oxygen manufacturers

WHAT: The Sixth Oxygen Consensus Conference

WHEN: Aug. 26 – 28

WHERE: Denver, Colo., DoubleTree Hotel, 3203 Quebec Street

For details and facts and figures about long term oxygen therapy, see http://www.aahomecare.org. For details about the conference, see http://www.ltotnet.org.

Background:

Lack of proper oxygen intake can result in diminished brain function and over time can cause symptoms including confusion and forgetfulness — many of the same symptoms as Alzheimer’s disease. At least 14 million Americans suffer from COPD and approximately 10 percent require home oxygen therapy to treat chronically low oxygen levels in the blood. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and one of the only chronic diseases with increasing prevalence and growing mortality rates.

The five previous oxygen consensus conferences took place between 1986 and 2000 and they stimulated development of oxygen standards and other improvements for oxygen therapy.

COPD claims more than 120,000 lives annually in the U.S. Approximately 85 percent of COPD cases develop as a direct result of cigarette smoking. Other causes of COPD may include environmental factors, such as pollution, and genetic factors, which can predispose people to the disease.

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The American Association for Homecare is the only national association that represents every line of service in the homecare community, including home health and home medical equipment providers, respiratory and infusion therapy, telemedicine, rehab and assistive technology, and hospice.

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