outline
World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day is organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in collaboration with medical experts and patient groups from around the world. The goal of the day is to raise awareness of COPD, promote knowledge sharing and explore strategies to reduce its global burden. Since its inception in 2002, World COPD Day has grown into one of the most important global events for COPD awareness, with activities taking place in more than 50 countries each year.
World COPD Day
The theme for 2025 is: “If you feel short of breath, think of COPD.” Emphasizes the importance of early recognition of COPD. Despite being the third leading cause of death worldwide, COPD is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Although this is a common, preventable and treatable condition, many people do not receive timely or appropriate treatment.
Early and accurate diagnosis can significantly improve symptoms, lung function, and overall quality of life. COPD should be suspected in individuals who have difficulty breathing, persistent cough, sputum production, recurrent respiratory infections, or exposure to risk factors such as cigarette smoke, household air pollution, or occupational hazards.
key facts
- COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. 3.5 million deaths in 2021 — approximately 5% of global deaths.
- Nearly 90% of COPD deaths under 70 years of age occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- It is the eighth leading cause of poor health as measured by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
- The economic burden of COPD could reach $4.8 trillion by 2030.
- In high-income countries, tobacco use causes more than 70% of COPD cases. In low-income countries, smoking accounts for 30-40% of deaths, with household air pollution being the main cause.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a leading cause of death in Nepal (GBD 2023).
Disease information
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable lung disease characterized by shortness of breath, chronic cough, and phlegm production. COPD is a common lung disease that restricts airflow and makes breathing difficult. These include diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. People with COPD may experience difficulty breathing, persistent cough (with or without phlegm), wheezing, and fatigue due to lung damage or mucus buildup.
cause
COPD occurs when the airways become narrowed due to lung tissue destruction, mucus blockage, or airway inflammation.
It usually develops gradually and is associated with several risk factors.
- Active or indirect tobacco smoke
- Workplace exposure to dust, smoke or chemicals
- Indoor air pollution from biomass fuels (wood, manure, crop residues) or coal used for cooking or heating
- Early factors such as poor fetal growth, premature birth, or frequent childhood lung infections
- childhood asthma
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that causes early-onset COPD.
If you experience these symptoms, you should consider COPD. The diagnosis is confirmed through spirometry, a test that measures lung function. Cases may be missed due to limited access to spirometry in many LMICs.
symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- shortness of breath
- Prolonged coughing, sometimes producing phlegm
- fatigue
Symptoms may suddenly worsen in episodes of: rednessThis usually lasts for a few days and may require additional treatment.
It is important for health care providers to look for risk factors such as:
- Age ≥ 35 years
- Exposure to risk factors (tobacco smoke, household and outdoor air pollution, occupational exposure)
- genetic factors
- Adverse factors in prematurity and early life
- respiratory symptoms
key message
- There is currently no cure for COPD, but taking steps to help improve your diagnosis can have a positive impact on your future health.
- Patients and families can help advocate for more research and better access to care, including routine spirometry testing and telehealth access for patients in remote settings.
- Additionally, providers and policy makers can work together to improve access to spirometry and advocate for its use as a general health indicator at all stages of life.
- Health systems can work to increase academic training programs specializing in respiratory health and improve training on COPD diagnostic criteria, including the use and interpretation of spirometry.
Sources of information and additional data:
#WorldCOPDDay #SpeakUpforCOPD
