The 2025 theme for World COPD Day is 'Short of Breath, Think COPD.' World COPD Day takes place on November 19. 

According to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), this year's theme aims to emphasise that although COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, it is often not diagnosed correctly. 

COPD is a common, preventable, and treatable disease, but extensive under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis lead to patients receiving no treatment or incorrect treatment. Appropriate earlier diagnosis of COPD can have a very significant public health impact. 

According to GOLD, earlier diagnosis and treatment results in better clinical outcomes, including improvements in symptoms, lung function and quality of life.

A diagnosis of COPD should be considered in any patient who has shortness of breath, chronic cough or sputum production, a history of recurrent lower respiratory infections and/or a history of exposure to risk factors like tobacco, cooking fuels, or occupational hazards.

World COPD Day is organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in collaboration with health care professionals and COPD patient groups throughout the world. Its aim is to raise awareness, share knowledge, and discuss ways to reduce the burden of COPD worldwide.

Each year GOLD chooses a theme and coordinates preparation and distribution of World COPD Day materials and resources. World COPD Day activities are organized in each country by health care professionals, educators, and members of the public who want to help make an impact locally and worldwide.

According to COPD support Ireland, on World COPD Day there will be there will be a number of COPD Information stands in shopping centres and Health Care facilities around the country providing information on COPD and the supports available to those living with this condition.

COPD Support Ireland are also marking World COPD Day by undertaking a Promotional Bus Tour, stopping at several locations across the country.

The COPD & Me Roadshow will see a team of COPD health professionals visit Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Newbridge and Mullingar to offer free spirometry testing and advice and information on COPD.

Separately, local COPD Support Ireland support group volunteers and local Health Care professionals will be organising information stands in Tallaght, Carlow, Castlebar, Waterford, Mayo, Laois, Sligo, Westmeath, Galway, Cork and many more locations. They will provide information on symptoms of COPD, local COPD supports, local exercise groups and much more information on COPD.