“Nearly 40 years ago, former President Ronald Reagan declared the last full week in October Respiratory Care Week; which raises awareness about acute and chronic respiratory illnesses and the importance of maintaining proper lung health.  From Oct. 25 to 31, The proclamation on September 15, 1983 spells out why this week is so important. “Chronic lung diseases constitute an important health problem in the United States. They afflict nearly 18 million Americans and cause nearly 70,000 deaths each year, many of which are the direct result of smoking=(COPD).”