Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung condition where the lungs are damaged or remodeled in a way that they can't go back to normal, leading to long-term breathing problems.
COPD may be linked to diseases that make it hard to breathe, like emphysema, chronic bronchitis, certain genetic issues, and injuries to the brain or spine. Asthma isn't considered COPD, but some people with asthma might also have COPD.
Signs of COPD:
About 7% of people in Vermont have COPD. It's the fifth most common cause of death in the state, with a rate of 55.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (Vermont 2020 Vital Statistics Report).
People with COPD often face challenges that affect their quality of life. In 2014, there were over 3,000 visits to Vermont Emergency Departments where COPD was the main complaint.
Additionally, Vermonters with COPD were three times more likely to have their activities limited compared to those without COPD (57% vs. 19%), (BRFSS, 2014).
People with a History of Respiratory Conditions: Untreated asthma or a history of respiratory conditions increase the risk of COPD by three times. Vermont has the sixth highest rate of adult asthma in the U.S., with 12% of adults affected. Having asthma is a major risk factor for COPD, sometimes even more so than smoking, especially if not properly managed. Among Vermonters with asthma, 21% have COPD. Additionally, a family history of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are also risk factors for COPD.
Smokers: Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. While Vermont’s smoking rate is the same as the rest of the U.S., the state’s smoking rate has been higher than the national average in the past. 52% of Vermonters with COPD are more likely to smoke than most other groups in the state.
Low Socioeconomic and Education Status: People with less education and lower incomes are almost three times more likely to have COPD. Additionally, those who struggle with food insecurity also have higher rates of COPD.
People with Disabilities: Vermont adults living with a disability are more than twice as likely to have COPD than those without a disability.
Older Vermonters: COPD is also more common among older adults. Vermont has the fourth largest share of population in the 65+ age group when compared to other U.S. states and the third oldest median age of 43 years old (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019), suggesting an elevated concern for COPD in Vermont.
Rural Residents: Vermont has the highest percentage of older adults in rural areas, with about 65% of people aged 65 and older living in rural areas. Rural residents also tend to have less access to healthcare, increasing the risk of COPD.
People in Certain Occupations: Some occupations may put Vermonters at higher risks of developing COPD, including those with heavy exposure to dust at work, chemicals, and other indoor or outdoor air pollution.
Individuals with Other Chronic Conditions: Vermonters at higher risk of developing COPD are also those with another chronic condition. For example, many individuals with COPD are also likely to have arthritis, depression, asthma or cardiovascular disease (CVD), among other conditions.
If you're in any of these risk groups, visit this web page: Vermonters and Families Impacted by COPD.
Your health care provider is one of your best sources of information. Other important resources are listed below.
The Vermont COPD Program is supported by a grant from the Center for Disease Control (and use the formal citation language in the NOA). For more information see (CDC site). The purpose of the grant is to reduce the prevalence of COPD in Vermont through:
Together with multiple partners including the American Lung Association’s COPD Awareness Program, VDH will increase awareness, clinical and public health knowledge, COPD patient and caregiver support, and earlier detection and diagnosis to drive progress in COPD outcomes that importantly benefit those impacted by the disease, those who need diagnosis and COPD caregivers. These achievements will be demonstrated by surveillance, evaluation, data presentation and publication.
