abstract: 'Background: Health disparities, defined as a significant difference in

  health between populations, are more common for diseases of the

  respiratory system than for those of other organ systems, because of the

  environmental influence on breathing and the variation of the

  environment among different segments of the population. The lowest

  social groups are up to 14 times more likely to have respiratory

  diseases than are the highest. Tobacco smoke, air pollution,

  environmental exposures, and occupational hazards affect the lungs more

  than other organs, and occur disproportionately in ethnic minorities and

  those with lower socioeconomic status. Lack of access to quality health

  care contributes to disparities.

  Methods: The executive committees of the American Thoracic Society (ATS)

  and European Respiratory Society (ERS) established a writing committee

  to develop a policy on health disparities. The document was reviewed,

  edited, and approved by the full executive committees and boards of

  directors of the societies.

  Results: This document expresses a policy to address health disparities

  by promoting scientific inquiry and training, disseminating medical

  information and best practices, and monitoring and advocating for public

  respiratory health. ERS and ATS have strong international commitments,

  and work with leaders from governments,academia, and organizations to

  address and reduce avoidable health inequalities. Their training

  initiatives improve the function of health care systems and health

  equality. Both the ATS and ERS support all aspects of this document,

  confer regularly, and act together when possible, but the activities to

  bring about change may vary because of the differences in the continents

  where the two organizations carry out most of their activities.

  Conclusions: The ATS and ERS pledge to frame their actions to reduce

  respiratory health disparities. The vision of the ATS and ERS is that

  all persons attain better and sustained respiratory health. They call on

  all their members and other societies to join in this commitment.'
author: Schraufnagel, Dean E. and Blasi, Francesco and Kraft, Monica and Gaga, Mina
  and Finn, Patricia W. and Rabe, Klaus F. and Hlth, ATS ERS Comm Disparities Resp
author_list:
- family: Schraufnagel
  given: Dean E.
- family: Blasi
  given: Francesco
- family: Kraft
  given: Monica
- family: Gaga
  given: Mina
- family: Finn
  given: Patricia W.
- family: Rabe
  given: Klaus F.
- family: Hlth
  given: ATS ERS Comm Disparities Resp
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.1164/rccm.201308-1509ST
eissn: 1535-4970
files: []
issn: 1073-449X
journal: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
keywords-plus: 'UNITED-STATES; INSURANCE STATUS; AIR-POLLUTION; LUNG-CANCER; OUTCOMES;

  ASSOCIATION; CHILDREN'
language: English
month: OCT 1
number: '7'
number-of-cited-references: '32'
orcid-numbers: 'BLASI, FRANCESCO B/0000-0002-2285-9970

  Rabe, Klaus F./0000-0002-7020-1401

  Schraufnagel, Dean/0000-0003-0063-7223

  Gaga, Mina/0000-0002-9949-6012'
pages: 865-871
papis_id: dcade032c856a07cde282c902e534f73
ref: Schraufnagel2013officialamerican
researcherid-numbers: 'BLASI, FRANCESCO B/O-5885-2017

  Gaga, Mina/AAP-8348-2020

  Rabe, Klaus F./AAW-6296-2021

  '
times-cited: '32'
title: 'An Official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Policy
  Statement: Disparities in Respiratory Health'
type: Article
unique-id: WOS:000325350600018
usage-count-last-180-days: '1'
usage-count-since-2013: '16'
volume: '188'
web-of-science-categories: Critical Care Medicine; Respiratory System
year: '2013'