Rural Residence and Poverty Are Independent Risk Factors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the United States.
Sarath RajuCorinne A KeetLaura M PaulinElizabeth C MatsuiRoger D PengNadia N HanselMeredith C McCormackPublished in: American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine (2020)
In a nationally representative sample, rural residence and poverty were risk factors for COPD, even among never-smokers. The use of coal for heating was also a risk factor for COPD among never-smokers. Future disparities research to elucidate contributors to COPD development in poor and rural areas, including assessments of heating sources and environmental pollutants, is needed.