Abstract
COPD represents an important public health challenge, in the US and globally, that is both preventable and treatable. We describe the average age at death from COPD, a leading cause of death in the US, using data from the National Vital Statistics System for the periods 1980–85, 1990–95, and 2000–05. Average age at death from COPD increased 3–4 years between 1980–85 and 2000–05 for men and women as well as for Whites and Blacks.