PORTLAND, Ore. - A new American Lung Association report has found that women are 37 percent more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than men - and millions of women have symptoms that go undiagnosed.

More than 160,000 Oregonians have received a COPD diagnosis. However, Bev Stewart, regional manager, American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific, said that is only about half of the people who have it. In some cases, they just don't think to ask a doctor about its symptoms, she explained.

"A lot of people think that they're out of shape or they're getting older, and that's why they're having shortness of breath," she said. "They kind of neglect to mention these symptoms when they're talking to their health care provider, or they don't see their provider that often to begin with."

COPD is now the third leading cause of death in the U.S., Stewart said, adding that medication and pulmonary rehabilitation can improve a person's health.

The report says women are more susceptible than men to the problems associated with tobacco smoke because their lungs are smaller. Pulmonary specialist Dr. Steven Brown, medical director, Lung Center of Milwaukee, Wis., explains the concern:

"A pack of cigarettes in a woman is going to be spread out over a smaller area and is going to be more concentrated. Therefore, the amount of tobacco per unit of lung tissue is going to be greater," he said.

Other types of air pollution also are factors. Stewart describes the effects of COPD that compromise breathing.

"Your lungs are kind of like trees," she said, "and we're talking about the airways, which are kind of like the little branches. They get thicker and tighter, and not as able to move oxygen to and from your body - which is one of the main functions of your lungs, of course."

Since 2000, COPD has claimed the lives of more women than men, the report said, and the number of COPD deaths among women has more than quadrupled since 1980.

Earlier this year, state lawmakers heard from people living with this chronic condition. They passed a declaration that November will be COPD Awareness Month in Oregon.

The Lung Association can answer questions about COPD at 1-800-LUNG-USA.

The report, "Taking Her Breath Away: The Rise of COPD in Women," is available at www.lung.org.




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After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.