November 2006
Age Healthier
Breathe Easier
Information for Older Americans
and their Caregivers
Chronic
Obstructive
Pulmonary
Disease
(COPD) is the
fourth leading
cause of death in
the United States.
More than two
million adults age
65 and older have
asthma, and in
2001 more than
860,000 older
adults suffered an
asthma episode.2
Did you know that Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth lead-
ing cause of death in the United States,
claiming approximately 119,000 lives each year?1 In
2000, COPD caused 726,000 hospitalizations and
1.5 million hospital emergency room visits.1 COPD
includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema - lung
diseases which frequently coexist and are character-
ized by obstruction to air flow, making it difficult to
breathe. Smokers are particularly at risk of develop-
ing COPD, however, it also been linked to workplace
exposure to dust and fumes. Symptoms include
chronic cough, increased mucus production, chest
tightness, shortness of breath and difficulty
breathing.
Economic Impact of COPD and Asthma
The annual cost for treatment for all age groups is
approximately $32 billion for COPD and $14 billion
for asthma. Most of this cost is for medical treat-
ment of acute attacks when individuals struggle to
breathe.1 COPD is particularly common among older
adults and significantly compromises their quality of
life. As baby boomers age, the number of older
adults affected by COPD and asthma is expected to
grow significantly.
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Environmental Hazards,
Triggers for COPD and
Asthma
Outdoor Air
Exposure to air pollution can pose
a significant risk to older adults,
especially those with lung disease.
Particle pollution may aggravate
lung diseases including COPD and
asthma and may be responsible for
serious health effects including hos-
pitalization or premature death.
Ozone also may aggravate lung
diseases and may result in emer-
gency room and hospital admis-
sions.
Indoor Air
Pollutants that exist within homes
and buildings also may be harmful
to persons with COPD or asthma.
Many older persons spend up to 90
percent of their time indoors, often
at home. Common indoor environ-
mental hazards that may trigger
COPD and asthma attacks include
tobacco smoke (direct and second-
hand smoke), animal dander, dust
mites and cockroaches, mold, dust
and pollen. Other sources of indoor
air pollution that may trigger
a COPD or asthma attack include
combustion products of oil, gas,
kerosene, and coal and building
materials and furnishings made of
pressed wood products. Pesticides,
household cleaning products, and
substances with irritating odors also
may exacerbate these diseases.
Pollutants that exist within homes
and buildings also may be harmful
to persons with COPD or asthma.
Learn more about EPA's
Aging Initiative
The Aging Initiative is working
to protect the environmental
health of older adults through
the coordination of research,
prevention strategies and public
education. For more information
about the Aging Initiative, visit
www.epa.gov/aging
A poster entitled "Age Healthier
Breathe Easier" on COPD,
asthma and older adults is also
available on the website to
download.
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What you can do to control
and reduce exposure
to environmental hazards
If you or your loved one experience symptoms of COPD or asthma,
consult a doctor and follow a management plan outlined by your
health care provider. The key to management of these diseases is
through preventive measures and reduced exposure to environmen-
tal hazards. Take steps to prevent, control and reduce the frequency
of symptoms to allow you or your loved one to breathe easier.
Avoid tobacco smoke
Avoid smoke from wood-burning stoves
Reduce mold, dust mites and cockroaches in your home
• Keep pets out of sleeping areas
• Check furnace and heating units annually
Fix water leaks promptly
• Check the Air Quality Index (AQI)
Reduce outdoor activity as much as possible on poor air quality
days. The AQI reports how clean the air is and whether it will affect
your health. If you have access to the Internet, you can learn more
about the AQI by visiting www.epa.gov/airnow
If you do not have access to a computer or the internet, you can
learn more about the daily AQI through newspaper, television and
radio weather reports.
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ENDNOTES
1 National Institute on Heart, Lung and Blood, NIH, U.S. DHHS, Mortality
and Morbidity Chartbook 2002 on Cardiovascular, Lung and Blood
Diseases
2 National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, U.S. DHHS, Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults, National
Health Interview Survey, 2001. (2.87 million adults age 65 and older have
received a diagnosis of asthma or emphysema in their lifetime)
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