SOCIETY

The dual unmet need that the Programme aspires to cover:

1. The prevalence of COPD in Greece has been estimated at 8. 4–10. 6%. The incidence of the disease is highest in older people and residents of rural areas. The total annual financial burden of healthcare is estimated at approximately 4. 729€/patient with direct healthcare costs of 2809€/patient. In most European countries, pulmonary rehabilitation programmes are integrated into the public health system and are an integral part of patient treatment. Contrary to what happens in other EU countries, in Greece pulmonary rehabilitation programs operate only in very few public institutions and are not reimbursed, so they are only available to a limited number of patients.  
2. Regular physical activity in patients with COPD has shown to improve exercise tolerance, reduce shortness of breath in daily activities, improve muscle function and health-related quality of life, and reduce hospital admissions and mortality. In case of inactivity, a vicious circle is created in which shortness of breath leads to further reduced physical activity. Therefore, both the Greek national guidelines for the management of COPD and the International Recommendations of the Global Initiative on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease recommend physical activity for all groups of patients with COPD.