We’re Here to Help Support Everyone Living with IBD

Anyone can be diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – no matter your lifestyle, age, body type, race, ability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or culture.1,2,3 Managing IBD can sometimes bring unique challenges for people from health equity opportunity communities – including Black, LatinX, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, LGBTQIA+ populations, rural communities, people with disabilities, and other groups who face barriers to resources. It’s important to know that you have the power to take control of your health and get the care you deserve.

Composite face image using diverse skin tones, ages and genders symbolizing how inflammatory bowel disease can affect anyone.

Composite face image using diverse skin tones, ages and genders symbolizing how inflammatory bowel disease can affect anyone.

Important Facts on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBD can happen at any age. While many people are diagnosed in their 20s and 30s, you can be diagnosed at any point in life.4 Around 5% of people are diagnosed before age 5, and 16% after age 65.4 No matter when IBD shows up, it’s important to see a doctor early.

Important Facts on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBD is becoming more recognized in diverse communities. From 1970 to 2010, the rate of IBD cases in minority populations increased by 134%.5 That means you are not alone, and there is more support available for these communities through resources and patient support groups.

Important Facts on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Living fully with IBD is possible. IBD is a lifelong condition, but many people live full lives with it. Everyone, no matter their background, should be able to get the help they need with IBD.

Important Facts on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Talking early and openly with your healthcare providers about your symptoms and asking questions about your Inflammatory Bowel Disease diagnosis is important to understand more about your diagnosis.
When people with IBD and their doctors communicate well, it can help them feel better about their care, work towards improving their quality of life, and make it easier to manage their IBD.6 Everyone should feel heard and understood by their doctor, so they can get the care that's appropriate for them. Learn more

Inflammatory Bowel Disease can affect everyone differently.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Physical Health

Different people may experience different IBD symptoms.

Some may have milder symptoms, while others may have more severe ones. Your symptoms may also change over time, from flare-ups to periods of remission.

Specifically, Black and Brown patients may be more likely to have certain joint pain, skin rashes and eyes inflammation associated with their IBD.9

That’s why it’s important to talk to your healthcare team about what you’re feeling, so you can get the care that fits your needs.

Learn More

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Mental Health

Mental health is part of managing IBD.

Living with IBD can affect more than just your physical health. It’s important to talk about and understand how your IBD may affect your mental wellbeing too.

IBD patients may have more symptoms of anxiety or depression than those without IBD, so it’s important to talk to your provider about how you feel.7,8

Learn More

Everyone’s health journey is different, shaped by individual circumstances like where you live, your access to resources, and the support you have. We strive to work towards equitable care that meets you where you are and your unique needs and life experiences.

Support For Your IBD Care Journey

The right support for your unique needs and circumstances are key to navigating your care journey. Explore support options and available resources ranging from advocacy groups, financial information, clinical research opportunities, and more.

Connect With Supportive Inflammatory Bowel Disease Communities

Understanding and living with IBD can be challenging, but you’re not alone. Connect with patient advocacy organizations that can provide additional support and resources to meet your unique needs. Get Support

Color of Gastrointestinal Illnesses:

COGI connects individuals, specifically people from underrepresented communities, affected by gastrointestinal illnesses, through community, research, education and advocacy.

Girls with Guts:

A non-profit organization supporting, empowering and connecting women with IBD.

South Asian IBD Alliance:

SAIA aims to create resources, research and education for IBD patients of South Asian origin to minimize disparities, stigma and improve care.

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's Health Equity Initiative:

This foundation has launched initiatives, resources and support to address disparities in IBD care and outcomes for minority populations.

Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists:

ABGH is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing health care disparities in gastrointestinal diseases disproportionately affecting Black communities. Use their Find a Physician page to connect with specialists dedicated to Black digestive health.

A middle-aged woman in a hijab represents the Muslim community who may be affected by inflammatory bowel disease.

Want to Learn More About
Healthcare Finances?

Navigating healthcare costs can feel overwhelming, but MyHealthcareFinances.com is here to help. MyHealthcareFinances.com is a freely available website that helps you learn more about finances related to healthcare, and steps to take that may help lower costs. Whether you’re trying to understand medical bills, insurance options, or the financial assistance available to you, we provide simple, clear information to guide you every step of the way.

Looking for help in navigating healthcare costs?

Get Started

When It Comes to IBD,
Representation Matters

We believe that equity starts with diverse clinical trials that include patients from all communities. That way, everyone can benefit from the latest medical advancements. Participation in clinical trials by people of all backgrounds can make a difference by reducing health disparities and ensuring treatments work for everyone, no matter their background or identity.10

Interested in reading more about the importance of diversity in clinical trials

Learn More

A young man in a pink shirt represents the Latine community who may be affected by inflammatory bowel disease.
An older woman in glasses represents Black and African American people who may be affected by inflammatory bowel disease.

Interested in Participating in
Clinical Research?

Clinical trials are a type of medical research in which people volunteer to take part and are essential to advancing medical care across a wide range of various therapeutic areas. Patients from ethnic minority groups are often underrepresented in clinical trials.¹¹

At Pfizer, we’re committed to partnering with patients to improve these numbers and ensure that clinical trails are fair and accessible to everyone. Our goal is to design trials that reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the populations affected by the diseases we aim to treat or prevent and ultimately make it easier for people from all backgrounds to participate.

Want to learn more about how to get involved in clinical research?

Get Involved

References

1. Lewis JD, et al. Gastroenterol. 2023;165(5):P1197-1205.E2.
2. Abramovich A, et al. JAMA Network Open. 2020;3(8):e2015036.
3. Lautenschlager SA, et al. BMC Gastroenterol. 2023;23:71.
4. Jarmakiewicz-Czaja S, Zielińska M, Sokal A, et al. Genetic and epigenetic etiology of inflammatory bowel disease: an update. Genes (Basel). 2022;13:2388.
5. Odufalu FD, Aboubakr A, Anyane-Yeboa A. Inflammatory bowel disease in underserved populations: lessons for practice. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2022 Jul 1;38(4):321-327. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000855. PMID: 35762691; PMCID: PMC10332404.
6. Rubin DT, et al. Ulcerative colitis narrative global survey findings: communication gaps and agreements between patients and physicians. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2021;27(7):1096-1106.
7. Choi K, Chun J, Han K, Park S, Soh H, Kim J, Lee J, Lee HJ, Im JP, Kim JS. Risk of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Nationwide, Population-Based Study. J Clin Med. 2019 May 10;8(5):654. doi: 10.3390/jcm8050654. PMID: 31083476; PMCID: PMC6572298.
8. Jordan A, Mills K, Sobukonla T, Bredy S, Kelly A, Flood M. Depression rates among African American inflammatory bowel disease patients at a large safety net hospital. Colorectal Dis. 2022 Dec;24(12):1550-1555. doi: 10.1111/codi.16283. Epub 2022 Aug 4. PMID: 35881672.
9. Liu JJ, Abraham BP, Adamson P, Barnes EL, Brister KA, Damas OM, Glover SC, Hooks K, Ingram A, Kaplan GG, Loftus EV, McGovern DPB, Narain-Blackwell M, Odufalu FD, Quezada S, Reeves V, Shen B, Stappenbeck TS, Ward L. The Current State of Care for Black and Hispanic Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2023 Feb 1;29(2):297-307. doi: 10.1093/ibd/izac124. PMID: 35816130; PMCID: PMC10210746.
10. Schwartz, A. L., Alsan, M., Morris, A. A., & Halpern, S. D. (2023). Why diverse clinical trial participation matters. New England Journal of Medicine, 388(14), 1252–1254. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmp2215609
11. Race/ethnicity reporting and representation in US clinical trials: A cohort study, Turner, Brandon E. et al. The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, Volume 11, 100252