Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Viet Nam
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a progressive life-threatening lung disease that causes breathlessness and predisposes to exacerbations and serious illness. Daily activities, such as walking up short stairs or carrying a suitcase, and even daily routine activities can become very difficult as the condition gradually worsens. COPD is not curable, but treatment can relieve symptoms, improve quality of life and reduce the risk of death.
The primary cause of COPD is exposure to tobacco smoke (either active smoking or secondhand smoke) which accounts for three of four cases. Other risk factors include exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution and occupational dusts and fumes. Many cases of COPD are preventable by avoidance or early cessation of smoking.
Globally, it is estimated that there are 251 million cases of COPD in 2016, which is about 12% of the population aged 40 years and above. COPD causes 3.2 million deaths each year (about 5% of all deaths globally per year). In Viet Nam, COPD cases account for 7.1% of the male population aged 40 and above and 1.9% of females within the said age range.
WHO’s work on COPD is part of the Organization's overarching efforts to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases. WHO also strongly pushes for the prevention of COPD through reduction smoking, mainly through the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which has now been ratified by 180 countries.
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