Worldwide burden of COPD in high- and low-income countries. Part III. Asia-Pacific studies.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a global health problem that poses a heavy burden on most countries in the Asia-Pacific region. When compared to industrialised Western countries, the COPD burden in the Asia-Pacific region is higher in terms of the number of deaths, years spent living with disability and years of life lost. Given the high prevalence of tobacco smoking, poor indoor and outdoor air quality and the aging population in many Asian countries, urgent actions need to be taken to reduce the development, morbidity and mortality of this disease.
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. fannyko@cuhk.edu.hk
F W S
FW
Ko
D S C
DS
Hui
C K W
CK
Lai
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D019049:Developed Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology*