Population Health News

Identifying Early COPD Risk Factors in Hispanic, Latinx Populations

A Brigham and Women’s study looks to discover risk factors leading to early COPD in Hispanic and Latinx populations.

COPD populations risk factors

Source: Getty Images

By Erin McNemar, MPA

- Brigham and Women’s researchers conducted a study to identify important risk factors for early chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among Hispanic and Latino populations in the United States.  

COPD is a progressive disorder that will often go undiagnosed until a patient is over 60 years old and has significant airflow obstruction. At that stage, it can be challenging to manage and treat the conditions. Several studies have examined risk factors to determine those at risk for COPD.

However, studies have primarily focused on White and older populations, creating health disparities. By leveraging data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), researchers studied Hispanic and Latinx population health risks for COPD. The team identified asthma as the highest risk factor, followed by smoking and chronic sinusitis.