COPD, part of the chronic lower respiratory disease category, is now the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Awareness remains low, even though millions unknowingly suffer from it. The CDC reports a 3.5% increase in deaths, emphasizing the need for action.
Despite affecting over 30 million Americans, COPD remains dangerously
underdiagnosed.
As a leading cause of death, this chronic respiratory disease continues
to claim lives, yet awareness and early diagnosis efforts lag behind. With
death rates rising and women disproportionately affected, experts stress the
urgent need for education and prevention.
Chronic
Respiratory Diseases: A Leading Cause of Death
Chronic lower respiratory diseases,
including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are the sixth leading
cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics
confirmed this ranking in its final “Deaths:
Leading Causes for 2022” report.
COPD includes conditions like chronic
bronchitis and emphysema and can develop due to genetics or long-term exposure
to irritants such as smoke and pollution. Common symptoms include
breathlessness, fatigue, and a persistent cough.
Millions Affected, Many Unaware
More than 30 million Americans have
COPD, yet about half remain undiagnosed. Awareness of symptoms, risk factors,
and disease management is still low. On a global scale, COPD ranks as the
fourth leading cause of death, according to 2021 data from the World
Health Organization.
“COPD affects millions of people in
the United States and worldwide. However, despite being a leading cause of
death, many are unaware of the disease and its symptoms,” said Jean Wright,
M.D., MBA, CEO of the COPD Foundation. “We must continue to increase awareness
of COPD and to educate people about the disease’s symptoms and the importance
of early diagnosis, helping people live longer, healthier lives.”
Rising Deaths and Gender
Disparities
According to the report, the number of
deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases increased by 3.5% in 2022.
Chronic lower respiratory diseases were the sixth leading cause of death for
both men and women; however, the burden of death was higher for women (5.0%)
than men (4.0%).
The ten leading causes of death in the
United States in 2022 were:
1. Diseases of the heart.
2. Malignant neoplasms.
3. Accidents (unintentional injuries).
4. COVID-19.
5. Cerebrovascular diseases.
6. Chronic lower respiratory diseases.
7. Alzheimer’s disease.
8. Diabetes mellitus.
9. Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis.
10. Chronic liver
disease and cirrhosis.
The report data uses information from
all death certificates filed in the United States in 2022. Cause of death
statistics are based on the underlying cause of death and are classified by
the International
Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision.
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