MONDAY, Mach 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Public awareness of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is alarmingly low, according to the results of a survey commissioned by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF).
Atomik Research, an independent creative market research agency, administered the online survey to 2,013 U.S. adults on Jan. 9 and 10, 2020.
According to the results of the survey, a vast majority of Americans (86 percent) do not know the symptoms of PF and 90 percent of people report that their doctors have never talked to them about PF. Even among those ≥60 years, who are most at risk for PF, 91 percent do not know the symptoms of PF and 96 percent have never talked to their doctor about PF. Those who currently smoke and former smokers were approximately 10 percent more likely than nonsmokers to know the symptoms of PF, to have suffered from PF or know someone affected by PF, and to have spoken to their doctor about PF.
"Awareness of PF and its symptoms remains very low, and for many, the first time they hear of it is when they are diagnosed," William Schmidt, president and CEO of the PFF, said in a statement. "Improving understanding of this disease can help drive earlier diagnoses and encourage support for needed research, so that we can ultimately find a cure for PF."
National Awareness Survey 2020
