AMSTERDAM, Oct. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with Respiratory Care Week (October 23 – 29), Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) today announced the launch of COPD insider, an online community where leaders in value-based Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) care will discuss new and innovative solutions, highlight the biggest issues in COPD care, share a wealth of knowledge and provide practical solutions for COPD care professionals. Crowd-sourcing expertise from key thought leaders throughout the U.S., COPD insider is an online community that connects the entire care team and redefines COPD care by sharing expert solutions to empower new possibilities from the hospital to the home.

COPD is estimated to affect 24 million adults, with more than half not knowing they have the illness despite exhibiting symptoms1. In the United States alone, 120,000 people die from COPD each year2. With more than three million deaths annually, COPD is expected to be the third leading cause of death worldwide in the next fifteen years, more than breast cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer combined, as predicted by the World Health Organization3. At least 12 million people are living with undiagnosed COPD4, and an essential starting point for COPD involves actively pursuing early diagnosis and intervention before hospitalization and readmissions which can lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

"As an extension of our longstanding commitment to COPD care, COPD insider is a new way to reach healthcare providers and offer educational solutions to help improve care for the millions of people living with COPD," said Eli Diacopoulos, Business Leader, Home Respiratory Care, Philips. "This online community will leverage the expertise of leaders in COPD care to offer insight into tools and solutions that educate healthcare providers, better treat patients' respiratory conditions and help transform COPD care."

Improving patient outcomes while decreasing overall costs are two critical reasons why COPD care requires a leaner, more agile approach, focused on getting patients home quicker, while continuing to deliver quality care in the home to keep patients from returning to the hospital. Through guidance from professionals in effective multidisciplinary teams, COPD insider will provide subscribers a platform of valuable tips and tools that they can consider using to improve the structure of their practice.

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