Examining the public health burden of COPD, the third leading cause of death: What population-based data tell us

Background

Compared to other chronic diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been under-recognized for its severity and lethality as a leading cause of death and disability.  Updated data at the national level are available from various organizations.  The purpose of this presentation is to describe the public health burden of COPD from a data perspective.

Methods

Morbidity, mortality, and cost burden data will be presented, using resources that include CDC, NHLBI, American Lung Association, and others.  This will be done primarily through the use of graphics on prevalence, co-morbidities, death rates, emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs.  COPD risk factors will also be discussed in addressing preventive measures that can be undertaken for targeting COPD.

Results

COPD prevalence in 2011 was 6.3%, ranging from 3.1% (Puerto Rico) to 9.3% (Kentucky).  In North Carolina, the leading co-morbidities are disability status (65.8%), depression (43.8%), asthma (38.9%), history of cardiovascular diseases (29.4%), and diabetes (25.7%). The age-standardized death rate in 2010 was 40.8 per 100,000 US population – men had a higher rate (47.6/100,000) than women (36.4/100,000).  ED visits were higher among women (85.2/10,000) than men (71.0/10,000), and hospitalizations were also higher among women (5.6/1,000) than men (5.5/1,000).  Of the estimated $49.9 billion in annual cost for COPD, $29.5 billion was for direct healthcare expenditures.

Conclusions

Epidemiologic and economic data amplify the need for a coordinated, broad-based, multi-faceted approach in targeting preventive and control measures for this chronic disease.  These data are critical and available to support and drive policies for COPD.