# Burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Ghana and globally from 1990 to 2021, with projections through 2050: a systematic analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

## TL;DR

This study examines how COPD has increased in Ghana and globally from 1990 to 2021 and predicts future trends, emphasizing the role of air pollution and the need for targeted interventions.

## Contribution

The study provides new projections of COPD burden in Ghana and identifies household air pollution as a major driver of COPD deaths.

## Key findings

- Ghana's COPD deaths increased by 157% from 1990 to 2021, with a much smaller decline in age-standardized death rates compared to the global trend.
- Household air pollution from solid fuel use was responsible for 40% of COPD deaths in Ghana, highlighting a key preventable risk factor.
- Projections suggest continued increases in COPD prevalence and incidence, especially among adults aged 40–64, with higher mortality after age 60.

## Abstract

To assess the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Ghana within a global context, analyze temporal trends and risk factor attribution from 1990 to 2021, and project the future burden through 2050.

Secondary analysis of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data, using statistical modeling to evaluate trends in COPD prevalence, incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and attributable risk factors. Future projections were generated using Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort (BAPC) modeling.

GBD 2021 study, providing standardized estimates for 369 diseases across 204 countries and territories.

COPD-related deaths, prevalence, incidence, DALYs, age-standardized rates (ASRs), risk factor attribution, percentage change, age-specific death rates, and projections to 2050.

From 1990 to 2021, Ghana experienced a 157% increase in COPD deaths (from 693 to 1,782), compared to a 49% global increase. Ghana's age-standardized death rate (ASDR) declined by only 7%, far below the global reduction of 37%. COPD prevalence in Ghana tripled, rising from 0.1 to 0.3 million, while incidence increased by 215% and DALYs by 171%. Globally, DALYs rose by 40% over the same period. In Ghana, household air pollution from solid fuel use accounted for 40% of COPD deaths, followed by ambient air pollution (25%). Globally, particulate matter pollution (41%) and smoking (36%) were dominant. Projections show continued increases in prevalence and incidence, particularly among adults aged 40–64, with plateauing DALYs and declining ASDR by the 2040s. Mortality increases sharply after age 60, with higher burden among males. Cohort analysis reveals rising mortality risk among those born after 1960.

Despite modest ASDR reductions, Ghana's absolute COPD burden is increasing, driven by preventable risk factors such as household air pollution. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions, including clean cook-stove programs, improved air quality monitoring, and expanded access to spirometry and early screening. Such efforts are essential to reduce COPD-related morbidity and mortality and advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.4.