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COPD in Your State

The COPD State Brief includes data about prevention, diagnosis, health outcomes and treatment of the disease for all 50 states and DC.

COPD National Indicator Report

The COPD National Indicator Report provides an overview of COPD prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment. The report highlights and addresses health inequities related to COPD. 
Download your copy

Public health and healthcare professionals are encouraged to use this information and take actionable steps to prevent COPD, reduce health inequities, and ensure clinical guidelines are used to diagnose, manage, and treat COPD.

COPD Fast Facts

Approximately 11.7 million adults in America are living with COPD. A leading cause of morbidity and mortality, COPD costs an estimated $50 billion annually. 

8% of people living in rural communities have COPD compared to almost 5% in urban communities.
5.0% of women have COPD compared to 4.1% in men.
14% of COPD cases are caused by occupational exposures to vapors, gases, dusts, and fumes. These exposures may contribute to the development and progression of COPD.

States with the Highest COPD Prevalence

Eleven states have the highest COPD rates in the country. States along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers have the highest COPD prevalence. State prevalence rates range from 3.7% in Hawaii to 13.6% in West Virginia.   

 

Learn more about the burden of COPD in your state. Download state-specific fact sheets: 

Take Action and Reduce the Burden of COPD

Through a coordinated and comprehensive approach, healthcare and public health providers can take actionable steps, which prevent the onset of illness, reduce health inequities, lead to earlier diagnosis, and ensure clinical guidelines are used to manage and treat COPD.

The USPSTF does not recommend screening asymptomatic people with spirometry for COPD, but there are validated COPD screening tools for people experiencing COPD symptoms and who have risk factors. Results of the screening tools can identify people who should be evaluated for COPD. 

Spirometry is a lung function test that determines airflow obstruction, and the results confirm a COPD diagnosis. Spirometry use, especially in primary care settings, is underused which may result in a misdiagnosis or underdiagnoses of COPD. 

Cigarette smoking is the leading, preventable risk factor for COPD. For people living with COPD who currently smoke, quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to manage COPD and may lead to improvement of symptoms, lung function, and reduce morbidity. Tobacco prevention and cessation programs can be offered through individual counseling, community-based programs, or in a clinical setting.

People with COPD should receive vaccinations that prevent respiratory infections like flu, pneumonia, RSV and COVID-19. Respiratory infections are one of the leading causes of COPD exacerbations and may lead to worsening of symptoms, reduced lung function, hospitalization, worsening of quality of life and death. 

Pulmonary rehabilitation can improve breathing capacity, exercise ability, and may reduce healthcare costs for hospital admissions however referrals remain low. COPD education, self-management interventions and treatment should be tailored to each person. Recommended interventions should also consider health literacy and social determinants of health.

Learn more about COPD prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment at Lung.org/HCP-COPD


Page last updated: March 12, 2024

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