Objective: To investigate the awareness of relevant knowledge and influencing factors among high-risk populations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), so as to provide the reference for improving COPD awareness and disease prevention. Methods: The COPD high-risk populations were selected from community health service centers of Nanfeng, Jingang, Daxin and Fenghuang townships in Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu Province from 2020 to 2022. Basic information, lifestyle, health status and awareness of relevant knowledge were collected through questionnaire surveys. Anxiety symptoms was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale. Factors affecting the awareness of relevant knowledge among COPD high-risk populations were identified using a structural equation model. Results: A total of 2 078 COPD high-risk populations were surveyed, including 1 111 females (53.53%) and 967 males (46.47%), and had a mean age of (60.85±6.59) years. The total awareness score of relevant knowledge among high-risk populations for COPD was (6.33±2.59) points, with an awareness rate of 72.18%. Structural equation model analysis showed that age, annual household income, educational level, smoking, respiratory diseases, occupational exposure and anxiety symptoms had direct effects on the awareness of relevant knowledge, with direct effect values of -0.057 (95%CI: -0.099 to -0.014), 0.048 (95%CI: 0.005 to 0.090), 0.162 (95%CI: 0.117 to 0.204), 0.060 (95%CI: 0.018 to 0.096), 0.055 (95%CI: 0.021 to 0.088), 0.139 (95%CI: 0.107 to 0.170) and -0.172 (95%CI: -0.209 to -0.135), respectively; while age, gender, and occupational exposure also had indirect effects on the awareness of relevant knowledge, with indirect effect values of -0.069 (95%CI: -0.090 to -0.051), -0.084 (95%CI: -0.113 to -0.053), and 0.007 (95%CI: 0.003 to 0.014), respectively. Conclusion The awareness of relevant knowledge among COPD high-risk populations is associated with age, gender, annual household income, educational level, smoking, respiratory diseases, occupational exposure and anxiety symptoms.