Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive and currently incurable lung condition in which the airways become chronically inflamed and permanently narrowed.
Worldwide, COPD is the third leading cause of death, with more than three million people affected in Germany alone. A major challenge in managing the disease is that lung damage often develops long before diagnosis. Early warning signs such as persistent coughing or shortness of breath are frequently overlooked or underestimated.
The World COPD Day 2025 aims to raise global awareness of the disease and emphasize the importance of early detection, as COPD is often diagnosed only when it has already progressed significantly.
Research at Helmholtz Munich
At Helmholtz Munich, researchers are working to transform the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COPD. Their goal is to uncover the biological mechanisms underlying the disease and to identify new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches that enable earlier and more effective intervention.
The research focuses on understanding the immunological foundations of COPD and exploring how nutrition, environmental exposures, and immune responses interact during the onset and progression of the disease. By integrating these insights, Helmholtz Munich scientists aim to develop personalized strategies to prevent or slow disease progression and ultimately improve quality of life for those affected.
Learn more about the COPD research of Helmholtz Munich and partners
The Lung Information Service is a health information portal provided by Helmholtz Munich in cooperation with the German Center for Lung Research (DZL). It offers up-to-date, neutral, and scientifically validated information on acute and chronic lung diseases.
Information on COPD from the Lungeninformationsdienst (in German only)
