COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is often caused or aggravated by smoking. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., and the only cause of death in the first five for which the prevalence is increasing-a scary thought. However, Danica Patrick, the reasons are personal. Patrick own grandmother died of this cause, and in an interview with ABC, the star of the race says he hopes to speak for families who have suffered the same loss:
"I'm just here to use my platform as I am, and obviously, with my experience with him to relate to people with a family of COPD -. To try and urge them to do something about it"
Patrick admits he does not know specifically what Congress should do to combat the disease, says that half of all victims do not know they have COPD, but says that awareness of the disease is a good first step:
"I do not know what the government needs to do. But the conclusion is that pure consciousness is going to be enough to do something about this disease and change their stats."
