Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is now the fourth
leading cause of death in the USA, accounting for over 120,000
deaths annually and costing more than $30 billion per year.
It is estimated that more than 16 million Americans have COPD.
Yet because its prevalence is still rising (and it is
under-diagnosed), it has been suggested that more than 24 million
Americans actually have COPD — meaning almost half of those
with COPD do not even know they have it.
In the U.S., more than 85 percent of COPD is due to smoking
tobacco. The remaining 15 percent is due to such factors as
previous serious lung infections and/or inhalation of fume-laden
air that damages the lungs or genetic abnormalities, like
alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. Smoking-related COPD tends to run
in families.
Source: National Lung Health Education Program
