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COVID-19

COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbates Interstitial Lung Disease Mortality in the United States

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study published in Respiratory Research revealed significant disparities in interstitial lung disease (ILD) mortality across the United States, exacerbating existing demographic and geographic disparities. The research analyzed data from the CDC WONDER database, indicating that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in ILD-related mortality, with the highest rates observed in the Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaskan Native population.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found 609,157 deaths due to ILD from 1999 to 2022, with the highest mortality rates in the Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaskan Native population (23.4 per 100,000) and the lowest in the Non-Hispanic African American population (10.3 per 100,000).
  • Hispanic or Latino populations and Non-Hispanic Whites experienced similar mortality rates (14.5 and 14.7 per 100,000, respectively).
  • Males had higher mortality rates than females in all racial groups, with a 1.3 to 1.5 times higher risk of death from ILD.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) at the onset of the pandemic in 2020, peaking in 2021 and decreasing in 2022.
  • The Northeast region had significantly lower mortality rates than other census areas throughout the study period.
  • Medical professionals should be aware of these trends when treating patients diagnosed with ILD.

Statistics:

  • 609,157 deaths due to ILD from 1999 to 2022.
  • Highest ILD-related mortality rates in the Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaskan Native population (23.4 per 100,000).
  • Lowest ILD-related mortality rates in the Non-Hispanic African American population (10.3 per 100,000).
  • Males had a 1.3 to 1.5 times higher risk of death from ILD compared to females.
  • AAMR increased by 25% from 2020 to 2021, then decreased by 15% from 2021 to 2022.
  • The Northeast region had a 30% lower ILD-related mortality rate compared to other census areas.

Sources:

  • Trends in interstitial lung disease and the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States from 1999 to 2022. Respiratory Research, 2025;26(1):277.
  • Respiratory Research can be contacted at: Bmc, Campus, 4 Crinan St, London N1 9XW, England. (BioMed Central - www.biomedcentral.com/; Respiratory Research - respiratory-research.com)

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