Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. The most common COPD types are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, asthma, and a variety of other conditions. COPD can result in discomfort, lower quality of life, premature death, lost productivity, and high medical costs from hospitalization. In 2023, the age-adjusted rate of hospitalizations from COPD per 100,000 population was 106.5. In 2022, approximately 7.4% of Florida adults have ever been told they had COPD, Emphysema, or Chronic Bronchitis.
There is no cure for COPD, but lifestyle changes and treatments can help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. COPD is one of the ten leading causes of death in the U.S. In 2023, the age-adjusted rate of ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations from COPD among those aged 0-64 years was 58.7 per 100,000 population. In 2023, the age-adjusted rate of emergency department visits from COPD was 506.5 per 100,000 population.