COPD National Action Plan
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Working together to reduce the burden of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a debilitating lung condition that affects 1 in 8 Americans age 45 and older. More than 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, and millions more have it but don’t know it.

The COPD National Action Plan is the first-ever blueprint for a multifaceted, unified fight against this disease. Developed at the request of Congress with input from the broad COPD community — patients, caregivers, federal agencies, nonprofits, researchers, policymakers, industry representatives, and advocates — the Action Plan describes how we can all work together to raise awareness about COPD and reduce its impact.

Read the COPD National Action Plan

How to use the COPD National Action Plan

Doctor and Patient

Get Involved

Find out how to support the 5 goals of the National Action Plan

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Track and Monitor Progress

Enter your activities and see how others are implementing the Action Plan with this COPD Community Action Tool.

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Promote the National Action Plan

Find resources you can use to promote the National Action Plan

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Key Facts about COPD

lungs
COPD is the 4th leading cause of death and 3rd most common cause of disability.
lungs
COPD includes two main conditions—emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
cigarette
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD, but 1 out of 4 people with COPD have never smoked.
money
The projected annual costs of patient-related care in 2020 is $49 billion.
gender
COPD is more common in women — they make up 56% of all cases.
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16 million people have been diagnosed and millions more have it and don’t know

Learn more about COPD's causes symptoms and treatments

About the National Action Plan

Congress recognized the seriousness of COPD and requested a comprehensive effort to combat it. In response, the NHLBI convened workshops, meetings, and a two-day COPD Town Hall to help inform and develop the National Action Plan. The plan was released in 2017, but it’s a living document that continues to evolve.

At every stage, developing the National Action Plan has been a collaborative effort. Federal and nonfederal partners, patients and families, healthcare providers, academia, and industry all played an important role in creating and refining it.

Thanks to the National Action Plan, communities across the nation now have a unified framework they can adapt to guide their own efforts against COPD. The National Action Plan also offers collaborative opportunities to turn policy into action. Together, we’re making a lasting impact.

Together, we’re making a lasting impact, and we’re tracking our progress as we go.