COPD Awareness Month 2026 Education Opportunities

November is COPD Awareness Month, a time to spotlight one of the most prevalent and challenging respiratory diseases affecting millions of people worldwide. For respiratory therapists, staying current on evolving evidence, treatment guidelines, and diagnostic strategies is essential to delivering high-quality care across the continuum of COPD management.

The AARC is committed to equipping respiratory therapists with practical, evidence-based education that supports better patient outcomes. Through AARC University, members have access to comprehensive learning opportunities focused on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of COPD.

Build Expertise with the COPD Course Package 2026

The COPD Course Package 2026 offers a convenient way to gain specialized knowledge through three COPD-focused educational activities while earning 5 CRCE credits. Designed specifically for respiratory therapists, the package explores key aspects of patient care from prevention through disease management.

The bundle includes:

Clinician’s Guide to Treating Tobacco Dependence

Tobacco use remains the leading risk factor for COPD, making smoking cessation one of the most impactful interventions clinicians can support. This course provides guidance on understanding nicotine dependence, differentiating among tobacco products, discussing the addiction cycle, and confidently initiating cessation conversations with patients.

COPD: See the Silver Lining and Go for the Gold

Respiratory therapists play a vital role throughout a patient’s COPD journey, from diagnosis to long-term disease management. This course reviews COPD pathophysiology, patient assessment, and treatment strategies while highlighting the latest GOLD recommendations. Participants learn how evidence-based interventions and multidisciplinary collaboration can help improve quality of life for patients living with COPD.

The COPD National Action Plan: Where Did It Come From and What Does It Mean to RTs?

Developed through collaboration among stakeholders across the COPD community, including the AARC, the COPD National Action Plan serves as a roadmap for improving care and outcomes. This course examines the origins and goals of the plan and discusses how respiratory therapists can incorporate its principles into daily practice, advocacy efforts, and patient education.

Advancing COPD Pathophysiology and Diagnosis

For clinicians seeking a deeper understanding of the disease, Advancing COPD Pathophysiology and Diagnosis addresses critical educational needs identified within the respiratory care profession.

Presented by Michael W. Hess, MPH, RRT, RPFT, Senior Director of Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs for the COPD Foundation, this activity explores emerging insights into COPD development and progression, including:

• Genetic and environmental contributors to COPD
• The role of epigenetics and the microbiome in disease pathogenesis
• Common COPD comorbidities and their effect on disease severity
• Selection of appropriate diagnostic testing
• Interpretation of pulmonary function testing to assess disease severity

By strengthening diagnostic and assessment skills, respiratory therapists can better identify disease progression, tailor interventions, and support earlier, more effective treatment.

A Commitment to Better COPD Care

As COPD awareness continues to grow, respiratory therapists remain at the forefront of improving outcomes for patients and families affected by the disease. Ongoing education is critical to ensuring clinicians have the knowledge and confidence needed to implement evidence-based care and navigate an evolving healthcare landscape.

This COPD Awareness Month, take the opportunity to enhance your expertise and expand your impact through AARC’s COPD-focused educational offerings. Whether you’re looking to strengthen cessation counseling skills, deepen your understanding of current treatment guidelines, or advance your diagnostic knowledge, AARC University provides resources designed specifically for respiratory care professionals.