Pulmonary sarcoidosis is a disease that impacts the lungs. More specifically, it causes small inflammatory cells, that appear as lumps, in the lungs. In some cases, the lumps heal and disappear on their own, but in other cases the lumps can become even more inflamed, begin to scar, and eventually stiffen. The disease is present more often in Black people, especially Black women.
Continue reading for more information on how the disease impacts the Black community.
- In the United States, Black patients with sarcoidosis experience more severe pulmonary disease, have more organs that are affected, and have an overall worse prognosis.
- Black people who fall into a lower socioeconomic status (low income, government assistance, lack of insurance) may experience delayed diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis.
- Black patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis tend to need hospitalization more often and for longer periods.
- Black women in the United States are three times more likely to develop sarcoidosis than white women and white men. They also have a 10 to 18 times higher hospitalization rate and 12 times higher mortality rate.
- Pulmonary sarcoidosis is manageable, but awareness is essential for the Black community.
