COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Vermont Department of Health
Source: http://healthvermont.gov/wellness/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:17
COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Vermont Department of Health
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Translations for you
COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
In this section:
COPD Supportive Therapies and Advanced Care
For Vermont Families & Individuals Impacted by COPD
Patients and Caregiver Tools
Provider Tips
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung condition where the lungs are damaged, remodeled, or lose functioning, in a way that they can't go back to normal, leading to long-term breathing problems.
Chronic:
long-term
Obstructive:
limited air flow
Pulmonary:
lung
Disease:
a harmful condition that can compromise health and quality of life.
There is no cure for COPD, so it is important to prevent developing COPD or slowing further damage to the lungs if you have COPD.
COPD & Your Lungs
COPD is associated with inflammation, mucus build-up, and tightening of the muscle bands around the airways (as often seen in chronic bronchitis) and
deterioration of the air sacs (as often seen in emphysema). COPD may also be linked to certain genetic conditions, and injuries to the brain or spine. Asthma isn't considered COPD, but some people with asthma might also have COPD.
The damage caused by COPD reduces the ability to move air in and out of the lungs. Over time, as the disease worsens it becomes harder and harder to breathe. As lung function decreases, sleep is disrupted, concentration and alertness decline, activities are limited, and quality of life goes down. See
Vermonters and Families Impacted by COPD
for early warning signs and symptoms.
Important Links
Vermont COPD Data
802Quits
CDC’s Chronic Disease Initiative in Vermont
Project WorkSAFE
Vermont Asthma Program
Vermont Envision Program
Vermont Tobacco Program: Secondhand Smoke
UVMMC Pulmonology – COPD
COPD is a Significant Issue in Vermont
According to Vermont and New Hampshire Hospital Discharge Data, Vermont residents visited the Emergency Department 2,358 times with a primary diagnosis of COPD in 2022. This is a slight increase from 2021.
In 2023, 305 Vermonters died from COPD, making this the fifth leading cause of death in the state (
Vermont Vital Statistics Report, 2023
).
Who is at Greatest Risk of COPD?
Adults who have a history of asthma
are four times more likely to have COPD than those who do not, with nearly a quarter also having COPD. More adults have asthma in Vermont than the U.S. rate, which may make the risk of developing COPD higher among Vermonters compared to the whole country.
Vermonters who smoke cigarettes
are three times more likely to have COPD than those who do not smoke. About a third of adults in Vermont also report being exposed to secondhand smoke in the past week, which can increase the risk of developing COPD (Vermont Adult Tobacco Survey, 2022).
Those with
less education and lower household incomes
are also more likely to be diagnosed with COPD in Vermont, as are those with
disabilities
and those who are on
Medicaid
(BRFSS, 2023).
Military veterans, National Guard members, firefighters, industrial and construction workers, quarry or marble workers, farmers, and certain artisans may be particularly vulnerable to harmful exposures that can increase the risk of COPD among industrial and construction workers, quarry or marble workers, farmers, and certain artisans may be particularly vulnerable to harmful exposures.
COPD is more common among
older adults
Vermont’s aging population may suggest an elevated concern for COPD in Vermont (
United States Census Bureau, 2024
).
Additional high-risk groups may include those living in
rural areas
, those with
certain genetic conditions
, and those with
brain or spinal cord injuries
.
Other Vermonters at Risk
Some
occupations
may put Vermonters at higher risks of developing COPD, including those with heavy exposure to dust at work, chemicals, and other indoor or outdoor air pollution. For instance, Vermont has military veterans, National Guard members, firefighters, industrial and construction workers, quarry or marble workers, farmers, and certain artisans who may be particularly vulnerable to harmful exposures.
Quality of Life with COPD
COPD can impact daily activities and overall health and wellness.
Nearly half of Vermont adults with COPD rate their health as fair or poor: a rate four times higher than adults without COPD.
Vermont adults with COPD are two times more likely to miss out on their usual activities for 10 days in a row due to their health.
Vermont adults with COPD are more likely to be diagnosed with additional chronic conditions. Those with COPD are nearly four times as likely to have cardiovascular disease (CVD) and nearly three times as likely to have diabetes, compared with those who do not have COPD.
If you are in any of the above
high risk groups
, it is important to take steps now to prevent and slow the progression of COPD and preserve your quality of life.
See Vermonters and Families Impacted by COPD
on preventing and slowing COPD.
The Vermont COPD Program
The Vermont COPD Program is supported by a grant from the Center for Disease Control. The purpose of the grant is to reduce the prevalence of COPD in Vermont through:
increasing public health knowledge of COPD among healthcare providers and the public;
promoting earlier detection and diagnosis of COPD;
increasing COPD patient and caregiver support, and
reducing COPD-related hospital readmissions.
Together with multiple partners including the American Lung Association’s COPD Awareness Program, VDH will increase awareness, clinical and public health knowledge, COPD patient and caregiver support, and earlier detection and diagnosis to drive progress in COPD outcomes that importantly benefit those impacted by the disease, those who need diagnosis and COPD caregivers. These achievements will be demonstrated by surveillance, evaluation, data presentation and publication.
American Lung Association - Living with COPD
American Lung Association - Learn About COPD
American Thoracic Society - Patient Resources
American Lung Association - COPD Factsheet
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - About COPD
Department of Health and Human Services - COPD National Plan
The COPD Foundation - What is COPD
Live Better with Pulmonary Rehab - Find a Program
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute - What is COPD
Pulmonary Education & Research Foundation - About Us
Vermont Department of Health - Tracking Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Vermont
Vermont Tobacco Program - Secondhand Smoke
Vermont Tobacco Program - 802Quits
Enrollment and Use of Vermont's Tobacco Quitline among Adults with COPD
COPD Supportive Therapies and Advanced Care
Provider Tips
Patients and Caregiver Tools
For Vermont Families & Individuals Impacted by COPD
COPD is a lung disease that gets worse over time, so it's critical to prevent...
Subscribe to COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Last Updated:
April 1, 2026
Skip to main content
MENU
x
CLOSE
Translations for you
COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
In this section:
COPD Supportive Therapies and Advanced Care
For Vermont Families & Individuals Impacted by COPD
Patients and Caregiver Tools
Provider Tips
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung condition where the lungs are damaged, remodeled, or lose functioning, in a way that they can't go back to normal, leading to long-term breathing problems.
Chronic:
long-term
Obstructive:
limited air flow
Pulmonary:
lung
Disease:
a harmful condition that can compromise health and quality of life.
There is no cure for COPD, so it is important to prevent developing COPD or slowing further damage to the lungs if you have COPD.
COPD & Your Lungs
COPD is associated with inflammation, mucus build-up, and tightening of the muscle bands around the airways (as often seen in chronic bronchitis) and
deterioration of the air sacs (as often seen in emphysema). COPD may also be linked to certain genetic conditions, and injuries to the brain or spine. Asthma isn't considered COPD, but some people with asthma might also have COPD.
The damage caused by COPD reduces the ability to move air in and out of the lungs. Over time, as the disease worsens it becomes harder and harder to breathe. As lung function decreases, sleep is disrupted, concentration and alertness decline, activities are limited, and quality of life goes down. See
Vermonters and Families Impacted by COPD
for early warning signs and symptoms.
Important Links
Vermont COPD Data
802Quits
CDC’s Chronic Disease Initiative in Vermont
Project WorkSAFE
Vermont Asthma Program
Vermont Envision Program
Vermont Tobacco Program: Secondhand Smoke
UVMMC Pulmonology – COPD
COPD is a Significant Issue in Vermont
According to Vermont and New Hampshire Hospital Discharge Data, Vermont residents visited the Emergency Department 2,358 times with a primary diagnosis of COPD in 2022. This is a slight increase from 2021.
In 2023, 305 Vermonters died from COPD, making this the fifth leading cause of death in the state (
Vermont Vital Statistics Report, 2023
).
Who is at Greatest Risk of COPD?
Adults who have a history of asthma
are four times more likely to have COPD than those who do not, with nearly a quarter also having COPD. More adults have asthma in Vermont than the U.S. rate, which may make the risk of developing COPD higher among Vermonters compared to the whole country.
Vermonters who smoke cigarettes
are three times more likely to have COPD than those who do not smoke. About a third of adults in Vermont also report being exposed to secondhand smoke in the past week, which can increase the risk of developing COPD (Vermont Adult Tobacco Survey, 2022).
Those with
less education and lower household incomes
are also more likely to be diagnosed with COPD in Vermont, as are those with
disabilities
and those who are on
Medicaid
(BRFSS, 2023).
Military veterans, National Guard members, firefighters, industrial and construction workers, quarry or marble workers, farmers, and certain artisans may be particularly vulnerable to harmful exposures that can increase the risk of COPD among industrial and construction workers, quarry or marble workers, farmers, and certain artisans may be particularly vulnerable to harmful exposures.
COPD is more common among
older adults
Vermont’s aging population may suggest an elevated concern for COPD in Vermont (
United States Census Bureau, 2024
).
Additional high-risk groups may include those living in
rural areas
, those with
certain genetic conditions
, and those with
brain or spinal cord injuries
.
Other Vermonters at Risk
Some
occupations
may put Vermonters at higher risks of developing COPD, including those with heavy exposure to dust at work, chemicals, and other indoor or outdoor air pollution. For instance, Vermont has military veterans, National Guard members, firefighters, industrial and construction workers, quarry or marble workers, farmers, and certain artisans who may be particularly vulnerable to harmful exposures.
Quality of Life with COPD
COPD can impact daily activities and overall health and wellness.
Nearly half of Vermont adults with COPD rate their health as fair or poor: a rate four times higher than adults without COPD.
Vermont adults with COPD are two times more likely to miss out on their usual activities for 10 days in a row due to their health.
Vermont adults with COPD are more likely to be diagnosed with additional chronic conditions. Those with COPD are nearly four times as likely to have cardiovascular disease (CVD) and nearly three times as likely to have diabetes, compared with those who do not have COPD.
If you are in any of the above
high risk groups
, it is important to take steps now to prevent and slow the progression of COPD and preserve your quality of life.
See Vermonters and Families Impacted by COPD
on preventing and slowing COPD.
The Vermont COPD Program
The Vermont COPD Program is supported by a grant from the Center for Disease Control. The purpose of the grant is to reduce the prevalence of COPD in Vermont through:
increasing public health knowledge of COPD among healthcare providers and the public;
promoting earlier detection and diagnosis of COPD;
increasing COPD patient and caregiver support, and
reducing COPD-related hospital readmissions.
Together with multiple partners including the American Lung Association’s COPD Awareness Program, VDH will increase awareness, clinical and public health knowledge, COPD patient and caregiver support, and earlier detection and diagnosis to drive progress in COPD outcomes that importantly benefit those impacted by the disease, those who need diagnosis and COPD caregivers. These achievements will be demonstrated by surveillance, evaluation, data presentation and publication.
American Lung Association - Living with COPD
American Lung Association - Learn About COPD
American Thoracic Society - Patient Resources
American Lung Association - COPD Factsheet
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - About COPD
Department of Health and Human Services - COPD National Plan
The COPD Foundation - What is COPD
Live Better with Pulmonary Rehab - Find a Program
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute - What is COPD
Pulmonary Education & Research Foundation - About Us
Vermont Department of Health - Tracking Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Vermont
Vermont Tobacco Program - Secondhand Smoke
Vermont Tobacco Program - 802Quits
Enrollment and Use of Vermont's Tobacco Quitline among Adults with COPD
COPD Supportive Therapies and Advanced Care
Provider Tips
Patients and Caregiver Tools
For Vermont Families & Individuals Impacted by COPD
COPD is a lung disease that gets worse over time, so it's critical to prevent...
Subscribe to COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Last Updated:
April 1, 2026