Clinical Pulmonary MedicineLiving in a Poor, Rural Community Is an Independent Risk Factor for Developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseZappetti, Dana MDAuthor Information Disclosure: The author declares that there is no conflicts of interest. Clinical Pulmonary Medicine: July 2019 - Volume 26 - Issue 4 - p 135-136 doi: 10.1097/CPM.0000000000000317 Buy Metrics Abstract Synopsis: In this nationally representative sample of Americans, the following characteristics were significant risk factors associated with a higher prevalence of COPD: living in a rural area with a high level of poverty in the community. Among nonsmokers, living in a community that uses coal for heating was an additional risk factor. Source: Raju S, Keet CA, Paulin LM, et al. Rural residence and poverty are independent risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the United States. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019;199(8):961–969. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.