Pneumonia and COPD in Middle Eastern Older Adults: Current Burden and Future Opportunities

Abstract

Background: The Middle East is undergoing a demographic transformation marked by a rapidly expanding population of older adults, reshaping healthcare priorities and intensifying the burden of chronic and respiratory diseases. Among adults aged 60 years and above, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remain leading causes of morbidity, hospitalisation and mortality. These conditions frequently coexist, driven by high smoking rates and deteriorating air quality, both major regional risk factors. Objective: This paper adopts a health-systems perspective to analyse the burden of pneumonia and COPD among older adults in the Middle East and to evaluate the role and investment potential of digital health technologies in respiratory care management. Discussion The projected demographic shift is expected to place growing pressure on health infrastructures, with recurrent admissions, extended hospital stays and post-acute care needs contributing to rising cost burden. In response, governments across the region have begun prioritising ageing and chronic disease management within national health strategies, supported by advances in telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnostics and remote patient monitoring. These developments highlight increasing readiness to integrate digital tools into respiratory care pathways. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst, accelerating digital transformation across the region. Sustained innovation, regulatory facilitation and public-private collaboration, will position the Middle East to meet global standards in digital respiratory health and deliver more inclusive, connected care for its ageing population.