Nearly 16 million people in the U.S. have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a serious lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe.
COPD, also known as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, is more than twice as common in rural areas. Air pollution from occupational exposures to dust, fumes, smoke, or chemicals from jobs like farming, mining, or manufacturing and higher rates of smoking in rural communities can increase the risk of developing COPD. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following states have the highest rates of COPD: West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri.
Join Learn More Breathe Better® in bringing greater attention to COPD by sharing these videos, fact sheets, articles, infographics, social media resources, and more.
Visit the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for more resources.
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