
The Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies created a new COPD Index to serve as a data tool that can assess how health systems around the world prevent and manage COPD. It also addresses other related factors that can impact COPD severity and control.
“With this index, we bring together 1,500 data sources of how 34 countries manage and prevent COPD,” said Bogi Eliasen, director of health at the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies, in a news release. “By providing such an overview with a dedicated port for each country, it aims to motivate the health system stakeholders in implementing best practices.”
The index uses five diverse categories of indicators to measure each country’s response: policy context, access and care coverage, health system characteristics, disease burden and environmental factors. Of the 34 countries included in the index, Australia scored the highest at 71.5 out of 100. The Institute attributed this high score to the country’s implementation of comprehensive COPD strategies, care guidelines and tobacco control. It is followed by the United Kingdom, Finland, Estonia and Spain.
While the United States was not included in the index, it’s closest participating neighbor, Canada, ranked 11th with an index score of 66, due to its strong tobacco control policies and relatively strong COPD care guidelines and practices. India, meanwhile, ranked last out of the 34 countries, with an index score of 49/100. The Institute said greater implementation and monitoring of the country’s tobacco programs would help improve its overall score.
The Institute found that COPD contributes about 56% of the total costs associated with respiratory conditions in the European Union, but spending to address COPD is only 0.1% of the budget allocated for chronic respiratory diseases in the EU4Health program through 2027.
The COPD Index is the second initiative from the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies within the area of respiratory health, following the Severe Asthma Index.