CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES AND ALLIED CONDITIONS

The fourth leading cause of death of New Jersey residents in 1996 was the grouped cause, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and allied conditions (COPD), accounting for 2,759 deaths (Table M7). This cause group includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and unspecified chronic airways obstruction. Among those aged 45 through 64 years, the death rate from COPD was lower in 1996 than in 1987. However, in the remaining age groups, the death rate from COPD was higher in 1996 than it was ten years earlier. COPD deaths occur primarily in the elderly: 87.9 percent of COPD deaths in 1996 were of persons 65 and over.