Germany COPD Index
Rank
(out of 24 countries)
28
Index Score
(out of 100)
60.34
Deaths
(as a % of overall deaths)
4.02%
Smoking Rate
22%
Societal Costs
(cost per person)
$2352
Above average performance
Average performance
Below average performance
Germany scores above average in the Environmental Factors category, mainly due to good indoor air quality and low occupational exposure to COPD risk factors.
In the Policy Context category, Germany scores below average, primarily due to the lack of a national COPD strategy and low adherence to COPD guidelines. Germany reports a close to average score in the Health System Characteristics category, mainly due to a relatively high number of COPD hospitalisations and somewhat low respiratory specialist density, but good health data reporting. Germany has one of the highest disease burdens, with the highest societal cost, a high prevalence of COPD, and a relatively high death rate. Germany scores above average in the Access and Care Coverage category, with high universal health care service coverage, good conditions for diagnosis, and strong care referral pathways, though improvements could be made in telemedicine and remote care access. Similarly, Germany scores above average in the Environmental Factors category, mainly due to good indoor air quality and low occupational exposure to COPD risk factors. Germany’s low overall performance in index can be explained by country’s disease burden, and particularly by highest estimated societal cost, as well as relatively weak COPD Policy Context, despite strong Environmental Factors, and good Access and Care Coverage.
COPD Index Key Takeaways
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following takeaways regarding COPD care in Germany.
4th highest disease burden and the highest estimated societal cost of COPD
Strong Access and Care Coverage, but high COPD hospitalisation rate
Germany could significantly improve its COPD care and management with better adherence to COPD guidelines and the development of a national strategy for COPD
Best Practices for COPD Care
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following best practices regarding COPD care in Germany.
Free access to secondary care (but with waiting time
Pulmonologist in own practice have a broad spectrum of lung function tests (like Bodyplethysmography or DLCO) to differentiate (e.g. Emphysema, Bronchitis, Exacerbations, Asthma)
Challenges for COPD Care
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following challenges regarding COPD care in Germany.
No reimbursed smoking cessation programs
Poor case finding in primary care because of insufficient COPD screening by general practitioners
No COPD screening for patients with smoking associated heart diseases
Supportive measures (such as training and vaccinations) are not done as needed
Opportunities for COPD Care
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following opportunities regarding COPD care in Germany.
Smoking cessation unique infrastructure, simple reimbursement and political pressure against smoking and vaping
Raise awareness in cardiology care for COPD and primary care
Regular screening of smokers by lung function
For management: Better describing COPD (Bronchitis or COPD) of all patients
Priorities for COPD Care
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following priorities regarding COPD care in Germany.
Smoking cessation reimbursement, improve strategies against smoking and vaping
Mandatory presentation of all patients with serious COPD to the pulmonologist
Patient incentives for regular physical activity
Compare Germany to other countries
Select different countries to see how they scored across each of the 5 categories and overall
Sources
You can view the data sources for this country HERE