* Overall objective: To determine why African American and rural residents of Pennsylvania might be at higher risk for deadly, debilitating, and costly hospitalizations for COPD-and to show that repeat acute exacerbations in high-risk patients can be reduced with one simple intervention--access to a 1-800 Temple Call Center phone number where patients can get immediate customized advice on managing COPD exacerbations in their early stages.
* Phase 1: To compare and contrast the influence of race and geographic location in COPD exacerbation in relation to severity, comorbidities, treatment patterns, infection rate. To identify potential risk factors for COPD exacerbations leading to hospitalization.
* Phase 2: To reduce hospitalizations and deaths due to COPD exacerbations and to improve patient quality of life, lung function, and everyday activity levels
