The first step to improving life with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is to talk about it.

But what exactly is COPD? It’s a widespread chronic lung disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms caused by abnormalities in the airways and/or lung alveoli, leading to progressive and often irreversible airway obstruction. Common symptoms include chest tightness, a feeling of breathlessness, chronic cough with phlegm, which often result in fatigue even during simple activities and a consequent limitation in movement and physical exercise.

How can we talk about it? Through a unique educational and awareness project.

It’s called “Diamogli Voce” (Give It a Voice), created with the unconditional contribution of Menarini and endorsed by the Italian Society of Pneumology (SIP-IRS) and the Italian Association of Hospital Pulmonologists (AIPO-ITS/ETS). These two leading scientific societies contributed to developing and validating the project’s scientific content.

This initiative aims to reach a broad audience, offering clear and engaging information about COPD, a disease that is often underestimated. Despite being one of the top three causes of death worldwide—with over 390 million people affected and rising numbers, particularly in aging populations and countries with high smoking rates—it remains widely underdiagnosed and poorly understood.

At the heart of the project is the diamoglivoce.it portal. With its engaging and uplifting design, the portal will serve as a hub for educational and awareness content about COPD. Users will be able to watch video tutorials created by specialists from the two most prominent scientific societies in the field of pneumology (SIP-IRS and AIPO-ITS/ETS), recognized both nationally and internationally for their expertise.

But that’s not all! Users will also have the opportunity to take two tests to assess their level of breathlessness and quality of life (CAT and mMRC), which they can then share with their doctor. The portal will also feature a dedicated area for healthcare professionals, offering scientific insights through through expert-led mini-talks. Additionally, a patient section will be available, created in collaboration with the patient association Respiriamo Insieme (Let’s Breathe Together), which has officially endorsed the project.

A standout feature of the initiative is the fiction series “Dammi il La” (Give Me the Key). This four-episode series, soon to be available on the portal, explores crucial topics related to COPD, from prevention and diagnosis to managing exacerbations and adopting a lifestyle that makes living with the condition easier. The series will also be released as a feature film, premiering on Amazon Prime at the end of February 2025.

To engage healthcare professionals further, dedicated communication materials have been created to raise awareness and provide practical tools to help support their patients. A kit will be available for waiting rooms, featuring a countertop display with patient leaflets, a poster, and an informational folder for doctors. These materials are designed to increase outreach and awareness about COPD.

The portal will include an exclusive area for healthcare professionals, accessible through newsletters. This section, not open to the general public, offers in-depth scientific content through mini-talks delivered by pneumology specialists from SIP-IRS and AIPO-ITS/ETS.

The project will be promoted through an extensive media campaign, including collaborations with Corriere.it/video, RTL 102.5, and Spotify, as well as a a targeted editorial strategy on Facebook and Instagram. Campaign posts will also feature on the Menarini Group LinkedIn page to ensure maximum visibility and impact.