When 75-year-old retiree Robin Daugherty of Hartford, KY—a town of about 2,600 people—was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) two years ago, it wasn’t exactly a surprise. Daugherty, a former smoker, had been struggling with breathing issues for more than a decade. Activities like climbing stairs and basic grocery shopping had become such a struggle she avoided both whenever possible.
COPD is the umbrella term for the lung conditions emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Both diseases obstruct airflow and make breathing progressively harder for the 11.7 million adults in the U.S. who currently live with this incurable condition.
In Daugherty’s case, doctors diagnosed her with emphysema. She began pulmonary rehab and saw its benefits. She wanted to keep going, but Medicare “will only pay for so much,” she says, an insurance reality that ended her treatment. Without this program, she admits that she’s physically struggling. “I know I should go so I don’t get too far behind,” she says. But paying out of pocket is beyond her financial reach.
Daugherty is among the 8% of Americans with COPD who live in rural towns. While anyone can be diagnosed with COPD, its burden is often heaviest furthest from U.S. cities, according to the American Lung Association, which found that residents of rural communities are 60% more likely to have COPD compared with those with live in urban areas.
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