COPD Demographics

At present, The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates 210 million people are living with COPD worldwide. However, the incidence, prevalence and mortality rates of COPD are projected to increase globally with the increase in smoking and industrial pollution in the developing world. By 2030 the WHO estimates COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide. ³

The WHO estimates that national prevalence rates of COPD in the adult population are as high as 10%.³ The COPD mortality rate is estimated to be 3.7% of all deaths in the population. <sup>4

References
3. World Health Organisation. What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? 2008. Available at http://www.who.int/features/qa/48/en/index.html [Accessed August 2009]
4. Steiner MC et al. Thorax 2003;58:745–751</sup>