FC Barçelona, the European Commission (EC) and the European Lung Foundation (ELF) invite you to ‘score a goal for lung health’ at an open public event at Plaça de la Universitat, Barcelona on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th of September.
<img6327|left> This one-off, interactive event calls on members of the public to test their lung health and learn more about the ‘Quit Smoking With Barça’ programme.
Over 20 health professionals will be onsite to offer free lung function testing and advice on maintaining healthy lungs. Personal advice on quitting smoking will also be available with handy gadgets on offer to help people kick the habit. Visitors will also get to test their football skills by scoring a goal for lung health.
The two-day public event is organised by the European Lung Foundation, the European Respiratory Society and the European Commission, and supported by FC Barcelona and the European COPD Coalition.
WHEN: Friday 6th and Saturday 7th of September 2013
10am to 8pm (on both days)
WHERE: Plaça de la Universitat, Barcelona
As well as undergoing free lung testing and receiving personal advice from health professionals, members of the public will also have a chance to meet FC Barcelona’s Jordi Monés, (Head of the Medical Team at FC Barcelona), as well as official representatives from the European Lung Foundation and European Respiratory Society. The event launches on Friday 6th September at 10.00 am.
What is spirometry?
Spirometry is the most common lung function test which consists in blowing through a mouthpiece as fast and far as possible, in a time limit, with the aim to empty the lungs. It is a simple and quick test that, in 10 minutes, reveals whether the lungs and airways are obstructed or not.
Even the Health Commissioner Tonio Borg took this test earlier this year. As he said: “I have done it, it is easy and quick, so everyone can do it”.
- [Video of the spirometry event with Commissioner Borg taking the test
->http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/player.cfm?sitelang=en&ref=I079141]
– What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – COPD – is a treatable but irreversible long-term respiratory condition which affects the lungs and airways, making it difficult to move air in and out of the lungs. The main risk factors are environmental exposure to certain irritating particles, genetic factors and, above all, tobacco consumption: 80 to 90% of the COPD diagnosed patients are smokers, the reason why this disease is often wrongly qualified as the “normal” and “expected” smoker’s cough. COPD is more prevalent in the lower socio-economic groups and contributes to health inequality.
COPD affects up to 10% of the adult population in Europe and according to available data, it kills between 200,000 and 300,000 people every year.
* Photo source European COPD Coalition (ECC) website
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