This is an international consensus statement sponsored by the ATS and ERS. The main goals are to improve the quality of care provided to patients with COPD and to develop the project using a disease-oriented approach. To achieve these goals, both organisations have agreed to develop a modular electronic web-based document with two components.

A component for health professionals, that intends to:

• raise awareness of COPD
• inform on the latest advances in the overall pathogenesis, diagnosis, monitoring and management of COPD
• promote the concept that COPD is a treatable disease.

A component for the patient that intends to:

• provide practical information on all aspects of COPD
• promote a healthy lifestyle to all patients afflicted with the disease.