Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a worldwide problem.

Respiratory diseases receive little attention and funding in comparison with other major causes of global morbidity and mortality. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been a major public health problem and will remain a challenge for clinicians within the twenty-first century. Worldwide, COPD is in the spotlight because of its high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality, and creates formidable challenges for health care systems. This review summarizes the magnitude of the COPD problem at the population and individual levels.