Lung obstruction among adults aged 40-79: United States, 2007-2012

During 2007-2012, 14.7% of U.S. adults aged 40–79 had lung obstruction, with almost two-thirds having mild lung obstruction (9.4%) and one-third having moderate or worse obstruction (5.3%). A similar percentage of men and women had any lung obstruction, a pattern that persisted at each level of severity. There were notable differences in lung obstruction by race and Hispanic origin. Overall and at both levels of severity, rates of lung obstruction were higher for non-Hispanic white and non- Hispanic black adults compared with Hispanic adults. Overall and at the mild lung obstruction level, the percentage of non-Hispanic white adults with lung obstruction was significantly higher than that of non-Hispanic black adults. Lung obstruction also varied by education level. Adults who had attended college had a significantly lower percentage of moderate or worse lung obstruction compared with adults with less education. Among adults with mild lung obstruction, percentages were similar by education level. More than one-half of adults aged 40–79 with lung obstruction reported having at least one respiratory symptom. Reporting rates for each symptom and for one or more symptoms were all higher for those adults with moderate or worse lung obstruction than for those with mild obstruction. Among adults with moderate or worse lung obstruction, more than 80% reported having at least one respiratory symptom.