ABSTRACT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a preventable and treatable disease. The prevalence data of the disease are unevenly distributed around the world and are scarce or absent in many geographic regions. The disease is a serious cause of mortality and morbidity in all societies. At the same time, its burden on the country’s economy is an undeniable fact. Studies show that the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are inadequate, and patients have difficulties in managing the disease. The importance of health literacy in managing the disease and alleviating symptoms is emphasized in particular. The World Health Organization offers various approaches to raising awareness of health literacy in societies, emphasizing the importance of adult education and health education in early childhood. This review aimed to determine the place of health literacy in the epidemiology of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease epidemiology, health literacy, copd