COPD remains a major public health problem
15/08/2022

COPD remains a major public health problem

COPD accounted for over 212 million cases, 3 million deaths, and 74 million years lost to ill health or disability in 2019, latest data from the Global Burden of Disease Study shows.

The findings show that while age-adjusted rates of COPD have declined over the past three decades, absolute counts are on the rise, with smoking and air pollution contributing to most of the health burden, especially among men.

“Despite the decreasing burden of COPD, this disease remains a major public health problem, especially in countries with a low sociodemographic index. Preventive programmes should focus on smoking cessation, improving air quality, and reducing occupational exposures to further reduce the burden of COPD,” the authors conclude in their paper published in The BMJ.