Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD (chronic bronchitis and emphysema) is a major component of chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD). CLRD has been the third main cause of death since 2008 (1). Based on the underlying cause of death,the COPD death rate declined for men but increased for women from 2000 through 2011 (2,3). The burden of COPD mortality based on the underlying cause of death may be underestimated (4-6). Using data from the multiple causes-of-death files, or this report describes COPD-related mortality from 2000 through 2014 by selected race and age groups for men and women aged 25 and over. COPD was identified as those with COPD reported anywhere on the death certificate,either as an underlying or a contributing cause of death.
Source: cdc.gov