For Medical Professionals

Prevalence of Chronic Lung Disease

Chronic lung disease is a leading contributor to mortality, morbidity and disability in the United States. Nationally, chronic lung disease affects over 45 million Americans, with millions more who are undiagnosed with the disease. Chronic lung disease is a leading cause of disability and the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S.

Access to Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Chronic lung disease disproportionately impacts rural communities with the incidence being twice that of metropolitan areas. In the United States, less than 4% of Medicare beneficiaries have access to a pulmonary rehabilitation program. A patient's survival rate and health-related quality of life can be improved by access to pulmonary rehabilitative care. Evidence based research indicates that patients that receive pulmonary rehabilitation experience a reduction in hospital admissions and 37% decrease in mortality rates when they receive pulmonary rehabilitative care within 90 days of hospital discharge. For rural Americans with chronic lung disease the absence of specialty care and treatments is exacerbated by the lack of pulmonary rehabilitative services in a majority of U.S. counties, with only 1 rehab center for every 4,200 patients.