In the United States, 16.4 million people reported a diagnosis of COPD. It is estimated that millions more may have the disease without knowing it, because they remain undiagnosed. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States. There are approximately 700,000 hospitalizations with the principal diagnosis of COPD in the United States each year. About half of the estimated $50 billion in annual health care expenditures for COPD has been  attributed to costs associated with hospitalizations for COPD exacerbations.

Here are 3 things that you should know about COPD.

 1.COPD can't be cured, but treatment may help                       2.COPD requires a medical diagnosis                                                 3.COPD often requires lab tests and imaging 

COPD and Secondhand Smoke

Cigarette smoke is the irritant responsible for COPD in about 80-90% of people diagnosed. In addition, breathing secondhand smoke has a damaging effect on the lungs, but this is even more dangerous for those that have asthma. Directed at the smoker, the purpose of this song is to educate them about how their smoking habit affects those around them, particularly those with lung disease. The narration illustrates the number of cancer-causing chemicals contained in secondhand smoke as well as the morbidity and mortality statistics associated with it. “Ain’t no joke, breathing secondhand smoke!”.