OBJECTIVES: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major public health problem. It is often under-diagnosed and undertreated. Prevalence of COPD is strongly correlated with smoking habits but it affects non-smokers (including ex- and passive smokers) also. Early and effective treatment can reduce healthcare resource use by decreasing the severity and number of exacerbations. Indacaterol is an “ultra”-long-acting β2-agonist indicated for long-term maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with COPD. METHODS: We estimated the prevalence of COPD, and the incidence of exacerbations in a single hospital district with 200,000 inhabitants (Etelä-Pohjanmaa) in one year. Population-based data and smoking habits were utilized. Published indacaterol data were used to estimate the incidence and severity of exacerbations w/wo medication. Healthcare resource use was included from both primary and secondary health care. RESULTS: The estimated number of COPD patients in the hospital district was 13,700 (prevalence 6.85%, out of which 49% were currently non-smokers and 42% in working age). The patient population potentially benefiting from treatment (GOLD stages I-IV), was estimated to be 12,000 (87.6% of all COPD-patients). Within one year, without medication the number of expected exacerbations was 8,634, 3% of them were severe (needing hospitalization). Applying data from published indacaterol trial, 31% of exacerbations could be avoided by medical treatment. This can lead to a reduction of inpatient days by 800, and outpatient visits by 2,555 among this patient population in this hospital district. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the model, in this hospital district, COPD affects almost 7% of the population. In addition to elderly heavy smokers, health care workers should be aware of the large working age non-smoking population with possibility of having COPD. Early detection and effective treatment of COPD may decrease the number of exacerbations and consequently reduce the use of health care resources.