Financial strain may affect health outcomes for people with COPD
Financial burden leads to poor disease self-management, emotional distress
Miami (June 30, 2026) - The financial cost of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) negatively impacts people's mental health and leads them to forego medications, delay or avoid medical care, and alter major financial plans, according to a new study in the May 2026 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open access journal.
COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. People with COPD commonly experience high medical costs from routinely prescribed medications, unexpected emergency department visits, and hospital admissions. They may also experience income loss from an inability to work.
This new research examined the financial toxicity of COPD, a term used to describe the financial strain and emotional stress caused by medical expenses. Researchers interviewed 30 individuals living with COPD to better understand how health care expenses affect their daily lives.
Participants reported facing significant out-of-pocket expenses for inhalers, doctor visits, emergency care, and hospitalizations related to COPD. Many described feeling overwhelmed by the ongoing costs of managing a chronic illness.
Participants reported using their inhalers less frequently than prescribed, skipping medical appointments, reducing spending on necessities, or withdrawing from retirement savings to help deal with the financial burden. They also shared feelings of stress, anxiety, and frustration as they balance their health care needs with their current financial situation.
"Financial toxicity is often discussed in cancer care. Our findings show it is also a significant issue for people living with COPD," said Sonal Mallya, M.D., MHS, of Johns Hopkins Medicine and lead author of the study. "The financial burden can influence not only a person's finances, but also how they manage their health. Understanding how people experience these financial pressures is an important step toward developing solutions that improve both health outcomes and quality of life."
To access current and past issues of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, visit journal.copdfoundation.org.
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About the COPD Foundation
The COPD Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help millions of people live longer and healthier lives by advancing research, advocacy, and awareness to stop COPD, bronchiectasis, and NTM lung disease. The Foundation does this through scientific research, education, advocacy, and awareness to prevent disease, slow progression, and find a cure. For more information, visit copdfoundation.org, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Contact:
Brittany Irish
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mediarelations@copdfoundation.org