Chronic lower respiratory disease comprises three major diseases: chronic bronchitis, emphysema and asthma, and is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States.

In 2021-23, the overall mortality rate due to chronic lower respiratory disease was 17 per 100,000 people, 17% lower than in 2016-18. Whites and African Americans in Westchester County had the highest mortality rates from chronic lower respiratory disease, at 19 and 16 per 100,000, respectively. Hispanics had the third highest rate (10), followed by Asians (6).

Westchester County's rate for African Americans was on par with the state's rate while its rates for all other race/ethnicities were below state rates. Since 2016-18, rates increased 15% among Asians but decreased for all other race/ethnicities.

Compared to similar counties, Westchester had the highest morality rate from chronic lower respiratory disease among African Americans and Asians, the second highest rate among Hispanics; and the second lowest rate among Whites.

Inequalities in economic status, education and occupation put some populations more at risk of many of the health behaviors and social determinants of health associated with chronic lower respiratory disease, such as tobacco smoking, indoor and outdoor air pollution, exposure to allergens and occupational agents, diet, obesity and physical inactivity.

Rates are age-adjusted, meaning adjusted to account for differences in age distributions across geographies. Some data for Putnam County is not shown because the numbers are so low that the rate is considered unstable and not reported.