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COPD in Your State

The COPD State Brief includes data about prevention, diagnosis, health outcomes and treatment of the disease for all 50 states and DC.

COPD National Indicator Report

The COPD National Indicator Report provides an overview of COPD prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment. The report highlights and addresses health inequities related to COPD. 
Download your copy

Public health and healthcare professionals are encouraged to use this information and take actionable steps to prevent COPD, reduce health inequities, and ensure clinical guidelines are used to diagnose, manage, and treat COPD.

COPD Fast Facts

In 2023, approximately 11.1 million adults in the United States are living with COPD.  As a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, COPD costs an estimated $50 billion annually. 

8% of people living in rural communities have COPD compared to almost 5% in urban communities.
6.8% of women have COPD compared to 5.5% in men.
14% of COPD cases are caused by occupational exposures to vapors, gases, dusts and fumes. These exposures may contribute to the development and progression of COPD.

States with the Highest COPD Prevalence

States along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers have the highest COPD prevalence. State prevalence rates range from 3.7% in Utah to 12.6% in West Virginia.

 

Learn more about the burden of COPD in your state. Download state-specific fact sheets: 

Take Action and Reduce the Burden of COPD

Through a coordinated and comprehensive approach, healthcare and public health providers can take actionable steps, which prevent the onset of illness, reduce health inequities, lead to earlier diagnosis, and ensure clinical guidelines are used to manage and treat COPD.

The USPSTF does not recommend screening asymptomatic people with spirometry for COPD, but there are validated COPD screening tools for people experiencing respiratory symptoms and who have risk factors. Results of the screening tools can identify people who should be evaluated for COPD. 

Spirometry is a lung function test that determines airflow obstruction, and the results confirm a COPD diagnosis. Spirometry use, especially in primary care settings, is underutilized which may result in misdiagnosis, overdiagnosis or underdiagnoses of COPD. 

Providers should use the “ask, advise, and refer to quit” model to encourage patients to quit smoking. This includes asking each patient about tobacco use, advising about the benefits of quitting, and referring to cessation counseling and medication. Tobacco cessation programs can be offered through individual counseling, community-based programs, or in a clinical setting.

Vaccinations against infectious respiratory diseases like the flu, pneumonia, RSV and COVID-19 should be recommended to patients with COPD. When a patient visits your practice, take the time to assess, identify and educate about recommended vaccinations.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) can improve breathing capacity, exercise ability, and may reduce healthcare costs for hospital admissions. However, referrals to PR remain low. When talking to a patient about PR, review the eligibility requirements for a referral, discuss the benefits and explore strategies to address barriers.

Learn more at Lung.org/HCP

A COPD Action Plan is a personalized worksheet that is completed by the patient and healthcare provider. A COPD action plan is divided into three zones: green, yellow and red.  Patients should understand the actions for each zone.  

Find downloadable, easy-to-use copies of the COPD Action Plan to address health literacy. sources also include larger font and simplified instructions.

COPD Action Plan English, Spanish, Chinese and Tagalog.

COPD education, self-management interventions and treatment should be tailored to each person. Recommended interventions should also consider health literacy and social determinants of health.

Lung Health Navigators are health experts who provide free and customized one-on-one education and support for individuals and their loved ones facing COPD. As a healthcare provider, you can order free promotional materials to share with your patients about this program.

Learn more about COPD prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment at Lung.org/HCP-COPD


Page last updated: July 28, 2025

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