(NC) -- The Ontario Lung Association is joining forces with Telehomecare, a telemedicine service that teaches people with lung disease the skills to manage their condition.

Telehomecare provides daily vital signs monitoring and weekly health coaching for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in their own homes. Early results from Telehomecare suggest that participants have greater control over their own health and reduce the number of their hospital visits.

The Lung Association and OTN have signed a two-year agreement to work together to create and deliver education programs to people with COPD, their caregivers and health care providers. The Lung Association will also offer clinical guidance to Telehomecare. The agreement is significant because it represents two leaders in the field coordinating efforts to tackle a growing problem in health care.

COPD, which includes both chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is the only chronic disease in Canada where mortality rates continue to rise each year. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the country, behind cancer, heart disease and stroke. In Ontario, hospitalization rates for COPD patients are higher than for any other major chronic disease and the average admission extends 10 days at a cost of about $10,000.

The two organizations say the overarching goal of their partnership is to improve lung health for Ontarians.

The alliance will also lead to a process for connecting COPD patients to certified respiratory educators on the Lung Association's health information line, where the specially-trained staff answer questions on lung disease and provide counseling on quitting smoking.

In addition to its education programs, the Lung Association invests in lung research and campaigns for improved policies on lung health.

Telehomecare, which is free to patients, is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Canada Health Infoway. Referrals to the service can be made by a patient's doctor or nurse practitioner. Patients can also contact Telehomecare directly. More information is available at http://ontariotelehomecare.ca/.