CNN —

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for 3.5 million deaths in 2021, according to the World Health Organization.

It's a common disease in the United States, affecting about 6% of U.S. adults and ranking among the country's top 10 causes of death, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Latest Forecast

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As people age, the frequency of these cases increases significantly, with some estimates indicating that COPD may affect 20% to 25% of people over age 70 .

Now, researchers are trying to learn how many people have "young COPD," meaning the condition is diagnosed before 50 years of age. "Young COPD" was present in 4.5% of adults un

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