Tài liệu Báo cáo y học: "The Geography of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Across Time: California in 19

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) morbidity and mortality represent a major public health concern both in the U.S. and worldwide. As of 2002, 16 million U.S. residents were estimated to suffer from COPD, primarily from chronic bronchitis. Moreover, this problem appears to be worsening, as the prevalence of COPD is increasing in the elderly and female populations [1]. Overall, COPD-related mortality has markedly increased, from the twelfth cause of death in 1990 to its current position as the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide [2, 3, 4]. Approximately 120,000 adults (25 years of age and older) died from COPD in 2000 in the US. Although the COPD death rate for women doubled between 1980 and 2000, the age adjusted death rate for men was 43% higher. Since 2000, yearly death rates for women have been higher than for men.