Nearly half of people with lung conditions report feeling stigmatized, study finds

Nearly 50% of individuals living with a lung condition report feeling stigmatized due to their illness, according to research by Nivel and the Longfonds from the Longmonitor 2025. Common sources of stigma include embarrassment over symptoms, physical limitations, coughing, and using an inhaler in public. Many also experience social exclusion or a sense that others are uneasy or avoid being around them.

The study included 848 participants living with a lung condition. Of these, 280 people had COPD, 487 had asthma, and 81 had a rare lung disease.

Living with a lung condition often brings major daily limitations and a reduced quality of life. Air pollution from sources like wood stoves, traffic, and the industrial sector is a key factor driving health complaints in people with lung conditions.

Patients with lung conditions highly value being actively involved in their care and making treatment decisions together with their healthcare providers. However, the report notes that the way this involvement happens in practice could still be improved.

The findings indicate that stigma is more frequently reported by individuals with a rare lung condition than by those with asthma or COPD.