How many people are diagnosed with COPD each year?

COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States of America. The disease takes 120,000 lives a year, which equals to one death every four minutes. The See also:
What Can Be Done When Someone With COPD Feels Short of Breath All the Time?

See all 397 questions about COPD number of COPD is increasing dramatically however with having more than twelve million people diagnosed with an estimated additional twelve million that havent even been diagnosed with it. Major causes of COPD are smoking, environmental exposure as well as genetic factors. People who work with chemicals and dusty areas should always wear a mask to help prevent the start of this disease. Quitting smoking is also a very big factor in helping prevent, or slow the process of COPD. Ref:http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/campaign-materials/html/copd-atrisk.htm