HMN 2026: How Financial strain may affect health outcomes for people with COPD

The financial cost of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) negatively affects people’s mental health and leads them to forgo medications, delay or avoid medical care, and alter major financial plans, according to a new study in the May 2026 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation.

COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth-leading cause of death worldwide. People with COPD commonly face high medical costs from routinely prescribed medications, unexpected emergency department visits and hospital admissions. They also may lose income because they are unable to work.

This new research examined the financial toxicity of COPD, a term used to describe the financial strain and emotional stress caused by medical expenses. Researchers interviewed 30 people living with COPD to better understand how health care expenses affect their daily lives.

Participants reported significant out-of-pocket expenses for inhalers, doctor visits, emergency care and hospitalizations related to COPD. Many described feeling overwhelmed by the ongoing costs of managing a chronic illness.

Participants reported using their inhalers less frequently than prescribed, skipping medical appointments, reducing spending on necessities, or withdrawing from retirement savings to help deal with the financial burden. They also shared feelings of stress, anxiety and frustration as they balanced their health care needs with their current financial situation.

“Financial toxicity is often discussed in cancer care. Our findings show it is also a significant issue for people living with COPD,” said Dr. Sonal Mallya, M.D., MHS, of Johns Hopkins Medicine and lead author of the study. “The financial burden can influence not only a person’s finances but also how they manage their health. Understanding how people experience these financial pressures is an important step toward developing solutions that improve both health outcomes and quality of life.”

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