What women should know

For decades, COPD was mostly thought of as a disease of men. But that ended in 2000. Why? Because, for the first time, more women than men in the United States died from the disease. Here are some facts women should know:

• Deaths from COPD have doubled in white and African-American females over the past 10 years.
  • But during the same time, death rates have remained stable in men.
  • This trend is likely related to the growing number of women who started smoking in the past 50 years.
• Studies also suggest that women may be more prone to developing COPD than men.
  • This is so even if they smoke the same amount over the same period of time.
• Women with the disease also appear to have a lower quality of life than men, at a younger age, and also at an earlier stage.
  • They visit the emergency department more often than men.
  • And they are more likely to be hospitalized for the disease.
• Women have a harder time quitting smoking than men.
  • This may be one reason why women with COPD are less likely to quit smoking at all.
• They are less likely to use nicotine replacement products to help them quit.

This resource is part of an educational initiative sponsored by
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Pfizer Inc.

Create Date: 3/31/08
Date Last Updated: 3/31/08