Navigating COPD in Rural America

1 in 5 Americans live in a rural area. 

Rural Americans face more health challenges than people living in cities and difficulties getting healthcare because of:

• Clinician shortages

• Hospital closings

• Long distances to get to hospitals, specialists and pharmacies

• Lack of public transportation 

These factors make it harder to live with COPD.

What Is COPD?

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive lung condition that causes inflammation of the airways, making it hard to breathe.

COPD is the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S.                               

COPD in Rural Areas

1 in 12 of people in rural areas have COPD compared to 1 in 20 in urban areas. 

 Compared to people who live in cities, people in rural areas are:

• 2x as likely to have COPD

• More likely to go to the hospital for COPD

• More likely to die from COPD

Why COPD Is Worse in Rural Areas

People in rural areas:

• Are more likely to smoke 

• Have fewer stop-smoking programs

• Are more likely to work in industries that expose them to pollutants

• Live with more indoor pollution from burning wood or coal for heating or cooking

• Have more medical problems that can make COPD worse

• Have less money to afford medications to treat COPD

• Are more likely to not have health insurance

• Have less access to healthcare, including specialists who treat COPD

• May have more trouble getting diagnosed and treated for COPD

How to Manage COPD in Rural America

• Track disease progression and symptoms to know if they’re getting worse

• Use that information as an early warning and get to care 

• Use telehealth for:

• Remote monitoring to track symptoms, trends and triggers

• Digital pulmonary rehab to learn strategies

• Routine and time-sensitive care

• Line up transportation in advance 

• Insurance may cover transportation or local nonprofits may help

• Medicaid is required to pay for non-emergency medical transportation 

• Make a COPD Action Plan with:

• Your medicines

• How to know it’s time to seek care 

• How to reach your clinician 

• Transportation options 

• Make lifestyle choices that keep COPD from getting worse

• Quit smoking

• Exercise for strength and stamina

• Eat nutritious foods 

• Avoid irritants like dust and pollen

• Get good sleep

• Get vaccinated to prevent infections that make COPD worse 

• Advocate for yourself 

• You may have to look harder or travel farther for a lung specialist.

• Most health insurance (including the VA and Medicaid) have to offer specialists within a certain travel time or distance. If they don’t, you can get an exception to see someone out of the insurance network (but you have to request it).

• Find free or lower-cost care from rural and federally qualified health centers.

Remember: You ALWAYS have the right to emergency care.

Resources

American Lung Association – My COPD Action Plan

COPD Action Alliance – Veterans and COPD

COPD Foundation – My COPD Action Plan

This educational resource was created with support from Chiesi, Sanofi and Regeneron.