According to the Brazilian Society of Pneumology and Tisiology (SBPT), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and pneumonia remain among the leading causes of hospitalization and death in Brazil. COPD affects millions of Brazilians and is responsible for about 39,000 deaths per year — equivalent to 110 per day, according to DataSUS. Hospitalizations for pneumonia have increased by more than 100% between 2020 and 2024, primarily affecting children and the elderly.
Globally, chronic respiratory diseases rank third among the leading causes of death, affecting over 445 million people, mostly over the age of 60, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study (2019). In Brazil, it is estimated that seven million people live with COPD.
According to pulmonologist Jessica Polese, attention to prevention is essential to reduce the impact of these diseases, especially among the most vulnerable groups.
“Vaccination is an effective measure for disease prevention, strengthening the immune system against respiratory infections in these individuals, including not only the pneumonia vaccine but also the flu vaccine,” emphasizes the doctor.
She highlights that elderly individuals over 65 years old, people with chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes, smokers, alcoholics, immunocompromised individuals, and children form the main risk groups. “Pollution and environmental factors can also worsen the condition of vulnerable people, increasing cases of pneumonia,” she adds.
Pneumonia can be caused by viruses or bacteria and tends to occur when the immune system is weakened. The bacterial form, known as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), is often caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Among the most common symptoms are fever, shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, and yellowish secretions.
Another condition that requires early diagnosis and medical follow-up is Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) — a chronic and rare disease that affects the blood vessels of the lungs, causing increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries and overload on the heart. The topic has been addressed in the global soap opera Três Graças, through the character Lígia, played by Dira Paes.
“Often, the initial symptoms of PAH, such as fatigue and shortness of breath, are confused with those of other respiratory diseases, which delays diagnosis,” explains the doctor. “Early treatment is essential to improve quality of life and prevent disease progression,” she says.
The doctor emphasizes that paying attention to symptoms and regular follow-up with a pulmonologist are crucial for maintaining respiratory health — especially during times of higher incidence of diseases such as pneumonia and COPD.
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