Prevalence and Incidence of Cystic Fibrosis

About prevalence and incidence statistics: The term 'prevalence' of Cystic Fibrosis usually refers to the estimated population of people who are managing Cystic Fibrosis at any given time. The term 'incidence' of Cystic Fibrosis refers to the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of Cystic Fibrosis diagnosed each year. Hence, these two statistics types can differ: a short-lived disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence, but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence. For more information see about prevalence and incidence statistics.

Prevalance of Cystic Fibrosis: 30,000 Americans (NIDDK)
Prevalance Rate: approx 1 in 9,066 or 0.01% or 30,000 people in USA [about data]
Incidence (annual) of Cystic Fibrosis: 2,500 babies annually USA; 1 in 3,000 Caucasian babies
Incidence Rate: approx 1 in 108,800 or 0.00% or 2,500 people in USA [about data]
Prevalance of Cystic Fibrosis: Every year, 1,000 children with cystic fibrosis (CF) are born in the United States. One in 3,000 Caucasian babies have the disorder, making CF one of the most common lethal genetic diseases in Caucasians. Overall, there are 30,000 Americans with CF, and an estimated 8 million people carry one copy of the defective gene that causes the disease. ¹

Prevelance of Cystic Fibrosis discussion: According to the data collected by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, there are about 30,000 Americans, 3,000 Canadians, and 20,000 Europeans with CF. The disease occurs mostly in whites whose ancestors came from northern Europe, although it affects all races and ethnic groups. Accordingly, it is less common in African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. Approximately 2,500 babies are born with CF each year in the United States. Also, about 1 in every 20 Americans is an unaffected carrier of an abnormal "CF gene." These 12 million people are usually unaware that they are carriers. ²

Prevelance statistics about Cystic Fibrosis: The following statistics relate to the prevalence of Cystic Fibrosis:

8 million genetic carriers in USA (NIDDK)
About 30,000 people with cystic fibrosis ("Orphan Products: Hope for People With Rare Diseases", By Carol Rados, FDA Consumer magazine, November-December 2003 Issue)

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Cystic Fibrosis Research Directions: NIDDK
2. excerpt from NHLBI, Facts About Cystic Fibrosis: NHLBI

Last revision: May 26, 2003

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