Pfizer Works to Address Inequities in IBD Care

Despite advancements in technology that allow for broader reach and easier access to healthcare for people all over the globe, disparities in care remain a challenge, especially for women, diverse populations, and those in more rural areas. As we continue to work towards breakthroughs that change patients’ lives, we recognize that not all breakthroughs are medicine-related; we are also dedicated to improving equity and access for all patients around the world.

Recently, we shared a series of articles that discussed the challenges those suffering from migraine often face in attempting to receive proper care for their condition, and those patients are not alone. There are many conditions whose patients face similar struggles, like those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Approximately 3 million people¹ in the United States live with IBD, a group of chronic conditions that include Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The challenges of inflammatory bowel disease range from the physical symptoms to lifestyle impacts and more, and the number of people affected by these conditions is growing both in the US and worldwide², especially among minority groups.³

This rise may be because IBD is often underrecognized in these populations, a gap that can worsen the inequities that already exist. Preexisting racial, ethnic, and sociodemographic disparities can lead to delayed diagnosis and as a result, these individuals may experience longer periods of untreated inflammation.

To really understand the struggles the IBD population faces, we must also account for the additional obstacles faced by historically marginalized patients such as barriers to care and diagnosis delays due to systemic healthcare inequities.

It’s important for providers to acknowledge these challenges in order to provide equitable care for all patients.

“Doctors would look at me, even at my sickest points, and tell me, ‘But you look fine,’” said Tina Aswani-Omprakash, whose own experience living with Crohn’s disease inspired her to establish the South Asian IBD Alliance. “It felt like I wasn’t taken seriously because of my background.”

Community advocates also cite stigmas as another obstacle they face.

“In my South Asian culture, this is labeled a ‘diet and lifestyle disease,’ implying that we have done this to ourselves with poor eating habits,” said Aswani-Omprakash. “There is such a huge stigma surrounding IBD.”

Pfizer is working to overcome the critical care gaps that exist for diverse communities in the IBD space by helping gastroenterologists identify these disparities and recognize how implicit bias may impact disease treatment.

Through grassroots speaker programs and online broadcasts, we’re working alongside healthcare professional (HCPs) and patient advocacy leaders from diverse communities to help address health disparities, promote culturally respectful care, and cultivate physician-patient relationships in which patients feel seen, heard, and respected.

Our programs are attended by doctors from across the US and feature real patients sharing stories of how barriers like stigma, bias, and access impact their IBD experience.

We’ve also partnered with Color of Gastrointestinal Illnesses (COGI), an organization that works to achieve a healthcare system free of racial disparities. Together, we hosted the “Equity in GI” symposium in Atlanta, driving powerful conversations about the realities of gastrointestinal disease for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community, which highlighted the importance of self-love, advocacy, and mental health.

“IBD has many faces,” said Tricia Ottaviani, Vice President, US Rheumatology & Gastroenterology Marketing Lead. “The disease can present itself in people in many different ways, impacting each patient’s life uniquely. As a leader in gastrointestinal care, we feel a duty and responsibility to support all patients, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups to raise awareness of these persistent issues and help improve health for all GI patients,” said Ottaviani.

While we are proud of the progress we’ve made, we know there is still much to do to address gaps in diagnosis, care, and treatment for this population. We remain committed to empowering and supporting underserved patients throughout their IBD journey so that everyone gets the truly equitable care they deserve.

References:

1. Health-Risk Behaviors and Chronic Conditions Among Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease — United States, 2015 and 2016 – PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5815485. Published February 2018.
2. Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Pediatric and Adult Populations: Recent Estimates From Large National Databases in the United States, 2007-2016 – PubMed. https://academic.oup.com/ibdjournal/article/22/8/2023/4562062. Published August 2016.
3. Racial and Ethnic Minorities with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the United States: A Systematic Review of Disease Characteristics and Differences. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27379446. Published August 2016.