Opinion
Video
Health and Economic Burden of COPD
Panelists discuss how, despite being preventable and treatable, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has emerged as a major global health challenge due to widespread exposure to risk factors, particularly tobacco smoke, which remains the primary cause despite declining smoking rates in some regions. Early environmental exposures play a crucial role—workplace pollutants, air pollution, and secondhand smoke can damage developing lungs, whereas genetic factors like α1-antitrypsin deficiency increase susceptibility.
Video content above is prompted by the following:
- Why has COPD become a significant health burden, given its preventable and treatable status?
- Explain early environmental contributions (eg, tobacco smoke, pollutants, occupational hazards, and genetic factors) and precursor conditions.
- Comment on the increase in COPD risk factors and an aging population.
- What is the economic burden of COPD?
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