iarjcrIARJCRIARJCR2789-606410.47310/iarjcr.2025.v05i01.009Breathe Easy? Awareness and Risk Factors of Chronic Respiratory Diseases Among Adults in ShimlaBackground: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, are major contributors to global morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. In India, despite a significant burden of CRDs, community-level awareness remains inadequate, particularly in semi-urban and rural regions. Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, with its unique socio-demographic landscape, presents a valuable opportunity to explore public knowledge and risk perceptions surrounding CRDs. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, online survey was conducted among 400 adults aged 18 years and above residing in Shimla district from January to March 2025. A pre-validated bilingual questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographics, awareness of COPD and asthma, knowledge of environmental risk factors and prevailing misconceptions. Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling methods via online platforms. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, applying descriptive statistics to summarize findings, with knowledge scores categorized into Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor levels. Results: Among participants, 52.5% were female and 64.5% resided in rural areas. Most respondents (76.8%) correctly identified COPD as a chronic lung condition and 79.8% recognized allergens as asthma triggers. Awareness regarding tobacco smoke (82.8%), air pollution (81.0%) and preventive measures such as tobacco avoidance (84.3%) was notably high. However, only 65.5% knew that CRDs cannot be completely cured and 64.5% recognized the genetic predisposition. Overall, 31.3% exhibited Very Good knowledge, 42.8% Good knowledge, while 19.3% and 6.8% demonstrated Fair and Poor knowledge, respectively, highlighting persistent knowledge gaps, especially related to environmental triggers and long-term management. Conclusion: While the study highlights encouraging levels of basic awareness regarding COPD and asthma among adults in Shimla district, critical deficiencies remain in understanding environmental risk factors, chronic disease management and genetic susceptibility. Targeted, culturally sensitive public health initiatives, community-driven education programs and integration of respiratory health services into primary care are essential to bridge these gaps, promote early detection and reduce the growing burden of CRDs in the region.