The Impact of a Health Forecasting Service on the Visits and Costs in Outpatient and Emergency Departments for COPD Patients — Shanghai Municipality, China, October 2019–April 2020

Abstract

Summary What is already known on this topic? The morbidity and mortality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with adverse weather and air pollution. However, COPD patients are not able to be alerted in advance of high risk environments. What is added by this report? This prospective controlled trial conducted in Pudong New Area of Shanghai from October 2019 to April 2020 provided evidence of COPD risk forecasting service on the reductions in visits and costs of COPD patients in outpatient and emergency departments in China for the first time. What are the implications for public health practice? This study suggests that COPD risk forecasting service could be integrated into existing COPD management in public health to improve the health and economic outcomes.