Market scope note: This article draws on information from both Korea and the United States. Each piece of information is marked in the text with 🇰🇷 Korea (Korea) or 🇺🇸 U.S. (U.S.) to indicate which country it applies to.
When your mother says she gets unusually winded climbing the stairs, most families think, "She's just getting older." But that breathlessness may not be simple aging — it could be a sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a chronic condition in which the airways and alveoli of the lungs are gradually damaged, making breathing progressively more difficult. The problem is that the lungs have a large reserve capacity, so no clear symptoms appear until more than half of lung function has been lost. By the time shortness of breath becomes noticeable, the disease has often already advanced considerably.
🇰🇷 Korea The prevalence of COPD in Korea stands at approximately 13.4% among people aged 40 and older. Research findings show that nearly half of men aged 65 and older exhibit significant declines in lung function that could qualify as a COPD diagnosis. The prevalence among men aged 70 and older is particularly high, at 51.7%. Despite this, only 2.3% have actually received a diagnosis, and only 1.2% are receiving treatment. The vast majority of people who potentially have COPD go through life not even knowing they have it.
🇺🇸 U.S. According to the CDC's 2023 National Health Interview Survey, the diagnosed prevalence of COPD among adults is 3.8%, rising to 10.5% among those aged 75 and older. The actual prevalence based on spirometry testing is estimated to be considerably higher. In this respect — that official diagnosis figures greatly undercount the true scale of the disease — Korea and the United States are in a similar situation.
If your parent shows any of the following symptoms, consider COPD a possibility and encourage them to get a lung function test. If they feel far more fatigued than others during light physical activity, if they make a wheezing sound when breathing, if they have a persistent cough with phlegm, or if they need a long rest after climbing just one flight of stairs, they should see a specialist. This is especially important for those with a history of smoking or prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter. 🇰🇷 Korea In Korea, respiratory infections such as tuberculosis and air pollution are more often underlying causes than in Western countries, and a significant number of patients are non-smoking women.
🇰🇷 Korea There is good news. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has decided to add spirometry (lung function testing) as a new item in the national health screening program starting in 2026, targeting citizens at ages 56 and 66. What previously required an out-of-pocket payment as an optional test will now be available free of charge. Given the reality that COPD prevalence reaches 12% while disease awareness stands at only 2.3%, this policy change is expected to mark an important turning point for early detection. If your parents are in the applicable age group, make sure they take advantage of the national health screening this year.
🇺🇸 U.S. Medicare Part B covers pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. The basic benefit covers 36 sessions, with up to an additional 36 sessions available if deemed medically necessary. After meeting the Part B deductible, patients are responsible for 20% of the cost. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs include exercise training, breathing technique education, and psychological support, and are known to be effective in improving daily functioning and reducing hospitalizations. Additionally, beginning in 2025, Medicare Part D has set an annual out-of-pocket cap on prescription drug costs at $2,000, easing the burden on COPD patients who use expensive inhalers compared to before.
As a family caregiver, the most important thing you can do is to stop dismissing your parent's symptoms as "just aging." Don't brush aside comments about getting winded with even a little movement, or a chronic cough that has dragged on for a long time. COPD is difficult to cure, but it is a condition where early detection and consistent management can slow its progression and meaningfully improve quality of life. A realistic starting point is to consult with a medical professional to arrange lung function testing, while also incorporating lifestyle measures such as smoking cessation, protection from fine particulate matter, and regular breathing exercises.
Sources: Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases COPD Clinical Practice Guidelines, 2024 Revised Edition; Korean Association for Lung Cancer and Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases statistics (based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey); Ministry of Health and Welfare, 1st National Health Screening Committee Announcement of 2025 (2025.09); Hidoc Medical News (2025.12); Money Today The Bio (2026.06); U.S. CDC/NCHS Data Brief No. 529 (2025.05); ScienceInsights COPD Statistics (2026.03); Solace Health Medicare COPD Guide (2025.09); CMS Medicare Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coverage criteria.
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.