"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in South Carolina and affects approximately 15 percent of the adult population. Unfortunately, recent data suggests that almost half of the COPD-affected population in South Carolina remains undiagnosed. Despite good evidence-based guidelines for optimal care of COPD, the diagnosis, management, and outcomes for the disease are suboptimal and care is too often fragmented. Although tobacco cessation and avoidance are slowly advancing in South Carolina, 20 percent of COPD occurs in non-smokers, and this percentage will likely increase in the coming years. Therefore, a strategic plan must include other initiatives in addition to smoking cessation.

COPD is a disease that reflects notable disparities in South Carolina: less than 50 percent of COPD patients completed high school, and African-American males are a group with relatively high rates of undiagnosed disease. Individuals who have COPD need a variety of services to optimize their care, including access to medications, durable medical equipment providers, pulmonary rehabilitation services, and knowledgeable health care providers who understand and screen for the co-morbidities frequently associated with COPD. (more…)