Context
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) deteriorates lung function – it restricts airflow and makes breathing increasingly difficult, potentially affecting every facet of a person’s life.
Recent data suggest there are up to 391 million people currently living with COPD around the world. Every hour, some 425 people die of COPD – and, in low- and middle-income countries, 90% of COPD deaths occur in people younger than 70.
People of lower socioeconomic position are at higher risk of developing COPD. This is due to factors such as exposure to household and outdoor air pollutants, poor nutrition, infections and smoking tobacco.
COPD is the seventh leading cause of poor health worldwide. Its symptoms gradually worsen and manifest as flare-ups which, when severe, require emergency hospital admission. More than one in five people die within one year of being hospitalised for a COPD flare-up. Living with COPD can curtail a person’s independence, impact their relationships with friends and family, and even force them to give up their jobs: around 40% of people with COPD have to reduce or stop working altogether.
The pressure COPD places on health systems is unsustainable. It is a leading cause of hospital admissions in many countries. Without investment in evidence-based interventions, COPD is predicted to cost the global economy INT $4.3 trillion between 2020 and 2050.
These costs could be reduced if health systems were to move from reactive to proactive strategies, with all people receiving earlier diagnosis and guideline-recommended care. It is vital to enhance awareness and prioritisation of COPD among health system decision-makers, to catalyse change that will improve both health outcomes and, ultimately, people’s lives.
