Overview

World Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) Day is coordinated by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in partnership with health professionals and patient groups worldwide. The day aims to increase awareness about COPD, promote knowledge sharing, and explore strategies to reduce its global burden. Since its launch in 2002, World COPD Day has grown into one of the most significant global events dedicated to COPD awareness, with activities held in more than 50 countries each year.

WorldCOPDDay

The theme for 2025, “Short of Breath, Think COPD,” highlights the importance of recognising COPD early. Despite being the third leading cause of death globally, COPD is frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Although it is a common, preventable, and treatable condition, many people do not receive timely or appropriate care.

Early and accurate diagnosis can greatly improve symptoms, lung function, and overall quality of life. COPD should be suspected in individuals with shortness of breath, persistent cough, sputum production, recurrent respiratory infections, or exposure to risk factors such as tobacco smoke, household air pollution, or occupational hazards.

Key facts

• COPD is the third leading cause of death globally, responsible for 3.5 million deaths in 2021 — about 5% of all deaths worldwide.
• Almost 90% of COPD deaths in people under 70 occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• It is the eighth leading cause of poor health, 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 over 70% of COPD cases. In LMICs, smoking accounts for 30–40%, while household air pollution is a major contributor.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains the leading cause of death in Nepal (GBD 2023).

Diseases information

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable lung condition characterized by breathlessness, chronic cough, and sputum production. COPD is a common lung condition that limits airflow and makes breathing difficult. It includes diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. People with COPD may experience shortness of breath, persistent cough (with or without phlegm), wheezing, and fatigue due to lung damage or mucus buildup.

Causes

COPD occurs when the airways become narrowed due to lung tissue destruction, mucus blockage, or airway inflammation.
It usually develops gradually and is linked to several risk factors:

• Active or second-hand tobacco smoke
• Workplace exposure to dust, fumes, or chemicals
• Indoor air pollution from biomass fuels (wood, dung, crop residues) or coal used for cooking or heating
• Early-life factors such as poor fetal growth, premature birth, or frequent childhood lung infections
• Childhood asthma
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a rare genetic disorder causing early-onset COPD.

COPD should be considered when a person has these symptoms. Diagnosis is confirmed through spirometry, a test that measures lung function. In many LMICs, limited access to spirometry leads to cases being missed.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

• Breathlessness
• Long-term cough, sometimes producing phlegm
• Fatigue

Symptoms can worsen suddenly in episodes known as flare-ups, which typically last several days and may require extra treatment.

 It’s important for health providers to look for the following risk factors: 

• Age ≥ 35 years 
• Exposure to risk factors (tobacco smoke, household and outdoor air pollutions, occupational exposures 
• Genetic factors 
• Prematurity and early life disadvantage factors 
• Respiratory symptoms 

Key message

• Although there is currently no cure for COPD, steps to help improve diagnosis can have a positive impact on future health.
• Patients and families can help advocate for more research and better access to care, including routine spirometry screenings and telehealth access for patients in remote settings.
• In addition, providers and policy makers can work together to improve access to spirometry and advocate for its use as a general health marker in all stages of life.
• Health systems can work to increase academic training programs specializing in respiratory health, as well as improve training in COPD diagnostic criteria, including the use and interpretation of spirometry. 

Source of information & further readings:

#WorldCOPDDay #SpeakUpforCOPD