The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, commissioned by the World Bank, is the first comprehensive assessment of the burden of premature mortality and nonfatal illness due to over 100 diseases and injuries worldwide. The study uses disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to measure the total disease burden, combining years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD). In 2000, approximately 2.7 million deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occurred globally, with half in the Western Pacific region, mostly in China. About 400,000 deaths occur annually in industrialized countries. The increase in global COPD deaths between 1990 and 2000 (0.5 million) is likely partly real and partly due to improved data collection methods. Regional prevalence varied from 0.5% in parts of Africa to 3–4% in North America. The study used a disease model to estimate age-specific incidence, case fatality, prevalence, duration, and general background mortality. The GBD 2000 Study improved upon the 1990 Study with better data and methods, leading to more accurate estimates. The study found that COPD was the cause of approximately 2.75 million deaths in 2000, with 650,000 deaths in South-East Asia, mostly in India. In industrialized countries, COPD caused about 300,000 deaths, or 10% of the global total. Worldwide, 1.9% of DALYs were attributable to COPD in 2000, with regional variations. The study also estimated COPD prevalence, finding that it is prevalent in both developed and developing countries, largely due to the tobacco epidemic. However, reliable prevalence estimates are scarce. The study used a disease model (DISMOD) to back-calculate consistent estimates of COPD incidence and prevalence. The study identified three major risk factors for COPD: cigarette smoking, heavy exposure to occupational and indoor air pollution, and α1-antitrypsin deficiency. The study found that COPD is more prevalent in males, but in the South-East Asia region, female prevalence is higher due to indoor air pollution. The study also estimated the disability weights for COPD, which are used to calculate YLDs. The study found that treatment can improve the quality of life for COPD patients, but only smoking cessation can alter prognosis and progression. The study used a regression model to estimate age- and sex-specific regional mortality from COPD, finding that COPD-related mortality rates were higher in certain regions. The study projected the future burden of COPD using risk factor models and extrapolation methods. Risk factor models are complex but can provide detailed information on projected prevalence, DALYs, mortality, and costsThe Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, commissioned by the World Bank, is the first comprehensive assessment of the burden of premature mortality and nonfatal illness due to over 100 diseases and injuries worldwide. The study uses disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to measure the total disease burden, combining years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD). In 2000, approximately 2.7 million deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occurred globally, with half in the Western Pacific region, mostly in China. About 400,000 deaths occur annually in industrialized countries. The increase in global COPD deaths between 1990 and 2000 (0.5 million) is likely partly real and partly due to improved data collection methods. Regional prevalence varied from 0.5% in parts of Africa to 3–4% in North America. The study used a disease model to estimate age-specific incidence, case fatality, prevalence, duration, and general background mortality. The GBD 2000 Study improved upon the 1990 Study with better data and methods, leading to more accurate estimates. The study found that COPD was the cause of approximately 2.75 million deaths in 2000, with 650,000 deaths in South-East Asia, mostly in India. In industrialized countries, COPD caused about 300,000 deaths, or 10% of the global total. Worldwide, 1.9% of DALYs were attributable to COPD in 2000, with regional variations. The study also estimated COPD prevalence, finding that it is prevalent in both developed and developing countries, largely due to the tobacco epidemic. However, reliable prevalence estimates are scarce. The study used a disease model (DISMOD) to back-calculate consistent estimates of COPD incidence and prevalence. The study identified three major risk factors for COPD: cigarette smoking, heavy exposure to occupational and indoor air pollution, and α1-antitrypsin deficiency. The study found that COPD is more prevalent in males, but in the South-East Asia region, female prevalence is higher due to indoor air pollution. The study also estimated the disability weights for COPD, which are used to calculate YLDs. The study found that treatment can improve the quality of life for COPD patients, but only smoking cessation can alter prognosis and progression. The study used a regression model to estimate age- and sex-specific regional mortality from COPD, finding that COPD-related mortality rates were higher in certain regions. The study projected the future burden of COPD using risk factor models and extrapolation methods. Risk factor models are complex but can provide detailed information on projected prevalence, DALYs, mortality, and costs