Respiratory Diseases

Goal

Promote respiratory health through better prevention, detection, treatment, and education efforts.

Overview:

Asthma1 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)2 are significant public health burdens. Specific methods of detection, intervention, and treatment exist that may reduce this burden and promote health.3,4,5

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by episodes of reversible breathing problems due to airway narrowing and obstruction. These episodes can range in severity from mild to life threatening. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Daily preventive treatment can prevent symptoms and attacks and enable individuals who have asthma to lead active lives.

COPD is a preventable and treatable disease characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung to noxious particles or gases (typically from exposure to cigarette smoke).4 Treatment can lessen symptoms and improve quality of life for those with COPD.

Several additional respiratory conditions and respiratory hazards, including infectious agents and occupational and environmental exposures, are covered in other areas of Healthy People 2020. Examples include tuberculosis, lung cancer, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), pneumonia, occupational lung disease, and smoking. Sleep Health is now a separate topic area of Healthy People 2020.

Why are Respiratory Diseases Important?

Currently in the United States, more than 23 million people6,7 have asthma. Approximately 13.6 million adults have been diagnosed with COPD, and an approximately equal number have not yet been diagnosed.8 The burden of respiratory diseases affects individuals and their families, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, cities, and states. Because of the cost to the health care system, the burden of respiratory diseases also falls on society; it is paid for with higher health insurance rates, lost productivity, and tax dollars. Annual health care expenditures for asthma alone are estimated at $20.7 billion.9

Additional Resources:

HP2020's National Objectives for Respiratory Diseases
HHDW Reports on Respiratory Diseases

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National surveillance for asthma–United States, 1980–2004: Surveillance summaries, October 19, 2007. MMWR. 2007;5(SS-8).
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease surveillance–United States, 1970–2000: Surveillance summaries, August 2, 2002. MMWR. 2002;51(SS-06).
  3. National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma (EPR-3) [Internet]. Bethesda, MD: NHLBI. Available from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma
  4. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary lung disease: Executive summary [Internet]. [cited 2010 Mar 12.] Available from: http://www.goldcopd.com
  5. Rabe KF, Hurd S, Anzueto A, et al. Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2007 Sep 15;176(6):532-55.
  6. Bloom B, Cohen RA, Freeman G. Summary health statistics for US children: National Health Interview Survey, 2008. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat. 2009;10(244):1-81.
  7. Pleis JR, Lucas JW, Ward BW. Summary health statistics for US adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2008. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat. 2009;10(242):1-157.
  8. Mannino DM, Homa DM, Akinbami LJ, et al. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease surveillance—United States, 1971–2000. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2002;51:1-16.
  9. National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Morbidity and mortality: 2009 chart book on cardiovascular, lung and blood diseases. Bethesda, MD: NHLBI; 2009 Oct [cited 2010 Mar 29]. Available from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/docs/cht-book.htm