The demand for medical oxygen has surged as the world continues to face respiratory challenges from diseases such as COVID-19 and pneumonia for maternal, child, and neonatal health, as well as for surgical and trauma interventions. WHO, alongside its partners, is prioritizing a holistic effort to ensure equitable access to this life-saving resource, especially in low-resource settings.
Many, many different kinds of people can benefit from supplemental oxygen. The largest group is probably those who have COPD. However, there are several different pulmonary and cardiac disease states where people can see benefits, which means there’s not any single “face” of oxygen. There are people of virtually every age, every ethnicity, and every gender. The common denominator is whatever particular condition they have, it reduces the body’s ability to deliver oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.
Access to appropriate equipment is a huge barrier. Over the last 40 years or so, progressive cuts in reimbursement for oxygen equipment have devastated the durable medical equipment industry. That has led to certain delivery modalities, such as cryogenic liquid oxygen, to become almost extinct in the U.S. It’s not because it’s outmoded technology or that no one wants it, but simply because it costs too much to service. In some parts of the world, supply chains for oxygen equipment and bulk oxygen itself can’t support demand even in acute-care settings. There are even places that don’t have access to basic but critical tools such as pulse oximeters to monitor therapy effectiveness. That limited reimbursement has also stifled innovation in the space, as it can be almost impossible for companies to see a return on research and development investment in any kind of reasonable timeframe.
The goals for World Oxygen Day 2024 (October 2nd) include educating people on oxygen therapy, advocating for improved oxygen equipment access, and addressing the stigmas people have about oxygen use.
Advocacy partners of this year’s World Oxygen Day include CHEST, the Association of Pulmonary Advanced Practice Providers, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, the Allergy & Asthma Network, and several more.