Pulmonary fibrosis is a type of lung scarring, where the lungs become stiffer and smaller, eventually leading to lower oxygen levels in the blood. This can be caused by a range of other conditions, including asbestosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma. However, it is often unclear what the cause might be, as is the case for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Many people are not served equally by the healthcare system, but this especially the case in lung health. There is now strong evidence that even the tools to diagnose the disease are not giving accurate readings for people from non-white backgrounds. This likely means that people are being diagnosed later, not accessing the treatment they need, and suffering more as a result. We know that to better serve people from different ethnicities, our information, campaigning, and research needs to be shaped directly by people from underserved backgrounds and led by what they want us to do.
What you are looking for:
- Anyone who has been affected by lung scarring or pulmonary fibrosis (as a patient, carer, family member, loved one) AND
- Considers themself to be part of an underserved or underrepresented group.
The post Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis (APF) want to hear from you – lung scarring and health inequalities appeared first on Shaping Our Lives.