CC's found:  
Locations visited:  
US/Canada
UKUK
Poland and HungaryPoland and Hungary

About the Where’s CC? campaign

Celltrion is committed to shining a light on unseen inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients to overcome inequalities in access to treatments and quality care across the world.

IBD is often considered an invisible illness12. We are on a mission to make people look beyond what they would usually see, to make all people living with IBD seen.

The Where’s Crohn’s & Colitis (CC)? campaign aims to spark conversations about inequalities to drive change in clinical practice and empower all people living with IBD to advocate for themselves.

For World IBD Day 2024, Celltrion launches the second installation of the Where’s CC? campaign, focusing on inequalities in access to treatments and care at a global scale.

In 2023, Celltrion partnered with the European Federation of Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis Associations (EFCCA) for World IBD Day to spotlight age-based inequalities in IBD in the first installation of the Where’s CC? campaign.

As inequalities grow at a global scale, urgent action is required to ensure sustainable and equitable IBD care for all.

About IBD

IBD is an umbrella term used to describe conditions including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Collectively, IBD impacts over 10 million people worldwide with incidence rates rapidly increasing across the world13.

IBD is a long-term condition and there may be times when the symptoms are severe, known as a flare-up, and times when there are no or few symptoms, known as remission. Common symptoms of IBD include pain, cramping or swelling in the stomach, episodes of diarrhoea, weight loss and extreme tiredness14.

IBD can appear for the first time at any age, however, diagnosis most commonly takes place between the ages of 10 and 4013.

Treatment for IBD can be transformative for patients’ lives, reducing the impact of the condition on their lives by minimising flare-ups and maintaining remission.

In recent years, the increasing availability of new treatments has transformed IBD patient care. Innovations in treatments, including advances in treatment administration that enable people to access at-home injectable treatment (versus hospital-based treatment), allows people to have an improved quality of life whilst managing their condition15.

People with IBD often have to commit to a treatment for years, so it’s important for healthcare professionals and patients to work together to find the best treatment for them. Increasing our clinical understanding of IBD will support this and ensure that every person with IBD is empowered to overcome the condition and its symptoms.

Inequalities in IBD

There is growing evidence that people living with IBD are experiencing inequalities in access to care and variations in their experiences and outcomes.

Inequalities are complex and several factors may influence whether somebody is subject to inequitable care, including16:

  • Socioeconomic status

  • Ethnicity

  • Gender

  • Age

  • Geographic location

  • Awareness and education

  • Comorbidities

  • Clinical research

  • Health system limitations

  • Language and cultural barriers

Inequality affects outcomes, access and experience in IBD care. This is due to groups of people being unable to access innovative treatment options, experiencing a disproportionate impact of the disease on their day-to-day lives, having a long wait to receive a diagnosis and not being involved in decisions about their care16.

The rising burden of IBD globally is anticipated to worsen inequality in access to high-quality IBD care and the affordability of IBD care for health systems1.

IBD has no borders

IBD is now defined as a global health problem, as an issue that transcends national boundaries that needs to be addressed through collaboration1.

Access to care and treatment is variable across the globe and even within countries, impacting people’s experience of care and ultimately their outcomes16.

We urgently need to raise awareness of the inequalities that exist in IBD to drive collective action to tackle the root cause and empower people living with IBD to advocate for the best possible care, no matter where they are in the world.

By increasing access to a timely diagnosis, high quality care and innovative treatments, we can ensure sustainable and equitable IBD care globally.

IBD has no age

IBD has no age – but the clinical research and general awareness of the condition do not reflect this17.

From teenagers to elderly people, a lack of understanding and research in specific groups of people are leaving them unable to benefit from innovative treatment options, and therefore feeling isolated18.

By addressing these challenges, we can ensure ALL patients, no matter their age, have the opportunity to benefit from potentially life-changing treatments that work for their condition, but also their lifestyle.

Real life stories

Hear from leading IBD clinicians on the challenges in access to IBD care, and how improved treatment options and awareness can support in improving people’s quality of life.

Diagnostic Delays

Delayed and inaccurate diagnoses preventing early and effective disease management 19.

Healthcare Infrastructure

Health systems with insufficient resources and tools resulting in poor IBD treatment outcomes 19.

Geographical Disparities

Limited access to specialised IBD care and professionals in remote or underserved areas resulting in treatment delays or insufficiency 19.

Financial Barriers

High healthcare costs, inadequate insurance and costs associated with seeking care leading to people avoiding or discontinuing IBD treatment 19.

Patient support

If you think that you or your loved one could have IBD, or you have a diagnosis and are concerned you are not accessing the best possible care or treatment for your IBD, speak to your local doctor.

No matter your circumstance, it’s important to work closely with your doctor to get an appropriate diagnosis and find a treatment that is clinically effective whilst being suitable for your lifestyle and personal priorities.

To help you get the best support, try these simple approaches:

  • 1

    Be open and honest with your doctor about your symptoms and how these are impacting your day-to-day life.

    It may seem small to you, but it could be the key to unlocking a diagnosis. Before your appointment, keep track of your symptoms and how these change over time. Think about what you want to get out of a treatment.

  • 2

    Once you have a diagnosis, discuss the range of treatment options available to you and their pros and cons with your doctor.

    Helpful prompts for your appointment include; What are my options? Are there any other options that you haven’t mentioned? What are the risks and benefits of that option? Which treatment would you recommend based on my lifestyle? Which treatment is most effective for people like me?

  • 3

    Reach a decision together with your doctor.

    Make sure to share your priority outcomes for a treatment, for example avoiding frequent hospital visits or addressing a particular symptom. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand any of the options.

  • 4

    If you do not feel seen and understood by your doctor, you can always ask for a second opinion.

    You can ask your doctor directly to see a specialist or another doctor. If you don’t feel you can do this, look for a local patient support group – or reach out to patient advocacy groups such as EFCCA at www.efcca.org.

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