Is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) a new diagnosis? Dr. David Sanderson: Well COPD has been with us for many years, but it certainly is getting more attention as it is a leading cause of disability for older individuals and certainly needs to be focused on more in the public health community because it is largely preventable if we can keep children from starting smoking and educate all smokers about the hazards and help them to give up smoking.