Ask the Doctor - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

In 2011, 12.7 million U.S. adults (aged 18 and over) were estimated to have COPS.^*
Overall, 6.3% of U.S. adults (an estimated 15 million) have been told by a health care provider that they have COPD. Prevalence of COPD increased, from 3.2% among those aged 18-44 years to >11.6% among those aged ≥65 years.^***
Of the estimated 4.7 million americans ever diagnosed with emphysema, 92 percent are 45 or older.^*
Women have exceeded men in the number of deaths attributable to COPD. In 2010, more than 70,000 females died compared to more than 64,000 males.^*
Number of adults with diagnosed chronic bronchitis in 2012: 8.7 million.^**
Number of adults who have ever been diagnosed with emphysema: 4.1 million.^**
Number of adults diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 2012: 6.8 million.^**
In 2011, an estimated 10.1 million Americans reported a physician diagnosis of chronic bronchitis.^*
COPD is the third leading cause of death in America, claiming the lives of more than 130,000 Americans in 2010.^*
Among 39,038 respondents in a CDC study reported in the morbidity and mortality weekly report, of people with COPD in all states,
- 36.4% were former smokers,
- 38.7% were current smokers, and
- 43.7% had a history of asthma.^***

_{*The American Lung Association}