News
Survey finds growing awareness of COPD, nation’s 4th Leading killer
Understanding of the disease and its risk factors, including smoking, remains low
WASHINGTON—Awareness of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is growing, but few Americans have a thorough understanding of the disease, according to a national survey released today. The new data show that 64 percent of survey respondents have heard of COPD, compared with 49 percent in a 2004 survey. Among those who reported hearing of COPD, only half recognized the disease as a leading cause of death, and just 44 percent understood it to be treatable.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health analyzed results from the annual HealthStyles survey of American public health attitudes, knowledge, practices, and lifestyle habits, conducted each summer by Porter Novelli.
The fourth leading cause of death in the United States, COPD is a serious lung disease affecting an estimated 24 million Americans. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency is the most important known genetic risk factor for COPD.
More than 12 million people are currently diagnosed with COPD and another 12 million may have COPD but remain undiagnosed despite recognizable symptoms. COPD typically affects people over 45, especially those who smoke or have smoked, and those with risk factors associated with genetics or environmental exposures. Symptoms include chronic cough, sometimes called “smoker’s cough,” shortness of breath, wheezing, not being able to take a deep breath, and excess sputum production.
