COPD Rates May Rise as Population Ages - WebMD

The worldwide burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is far greater than has previously been recognized, and it will increase over the next few decades as the world population ages.

As many as 10% of adults aged 40 and older across the globe are believed to have moderate to severe COPD, with rates more than double that among the elderly, according to the most comprehensive studies of COPD prevalence reported to date.

COPD kills 2.5 million people a year, according to World Health Organization estimates. It is currently the fifth leading cause of death in high-income countries like the U.S.