State variations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes suggest that the condition is more common in large rural areas compared with metropolitan areas, according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from CDC.
State variations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes suggest that the condition is more common in large rural areas compared with metropolitan areas, according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from CDC.
The report analyzed 2015 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Medicare hospital records, and death certificate data from the National Vital Statistics System, and identified 15.5 million adults who received a COPD diagnosis with approximately 335,000 Medicare hospitalizations and 150,350 deaths in which COPD was the underlying cause.
The analysis found that COPD prevalence, Medicare hospitalizations, and deaths were “significantly higher” among people in rural areas compared with people in other areas of the country.
Age-adjusted prevalence of COPD diagnosis ranged from 4.7% among populations in large metropolitan centers to 8.2% in rural areas. The analysis also found that 7 states were in the highest quartiles for COPD prevalence, Medicare hospitalizations, and deaths: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Of those 7 states, Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia were also in the highest quartile for percentage of rural residents.
The researchers speculated that rural populations had a higher risk of COPD because they have a greater proportion with a history of smoking, less access to smoking cessation programs, and higher proportions of uninsured or lower socioeconomic residents. Barriers to care in these areas include cultural perceptions about seeking care, distance to travel for care, a lack of services available, and financial burden. Limited access to services also affects access to early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and management of COPD.
“Healthcare providers and community partners who serve rural residents can help adults with COPD increase access to and participation in healthcare interventions,” the authors concluded. “Federal agencies are promoting collaborative and coordinated efforts to educate the public, providers, patients, and caregivers about COPD and improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COPD.”
References
Croft JB, Wheaton AG, Liu Y, et al. Urban-rural county and state differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—United States, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018:67(7);205-211. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6707a1.
Navigating Health Policy in an Election Year: Insights From Dr Dennis Scanlon
April 2nd 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Dennis Scanlon, PhD, the editor in chief of The American Journal of Accountable Care®, about prior authorization, price transparency, the impact of health policy on the upcoming election, and more.
Listen
Males With Hemophilia A Report Physical, Mental Burdens of Disease Regardless of Severity
April 25th 2024Self-reported data from adult and pediatric males with hemophilia A show that burden of the disease persists regardless of severity, highlighting a need for improved prophylactic treatment.
Read More
Exploring Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Variations
March 26th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the March 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on variations in prior authorization use across Medicare Advantage plans.
Listen
Lack of Mutations Associated With Favorable Prognosis in MPN-U
April 25th 2024While the Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System and bone marrow blasts may predict overall survival, the lack of certain mutations is also associated with a better prognosis for myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable (MPN-U).
Read More
What We’re Reading: FDA Approves UTI Antibiotic; Ozempic, Wegovy Price Investigation; US Births Fall
April 25th 2024The FDA recently approved an antibiotic for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women; a Senate committee recently launched an investigation into the prices of Novo Nordisk’s diabetes and weight loss drugs; US births fell last year, resuming a national slide after a previous increase during the pandemic.
Read More