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New York GI Links Health Equity and CRC Screening
Pascale M. White, MD, MBA, MS never tires of excising precancerous polyps.
“To know that I have removed something that could have been potentially dangerous to this patient in years to come, that wasn’t causing any symptoms but silently lurking there” is a great feeling, said Dr. White, an associate professor with dual appointments in the divisions of gastroenterology and liver diseases at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York.
“When I do procedures, I always go in with the mindset that this could be a lifesaving procedure for this patient. And that definitely keeps me excited about the field,” she said.
Colorectal cancer is preventable, but when it comes to screening, there are large health disparities. African Americans are 20% more likely to get diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 40% more likely to die from the disease. “Knowing that there are low screening rates among this population, there’s a lot of work to be done with mitigating those disparities,” said Dr. White, who has made it her life’s work to expand access to care and address health inequities.
Dr. White is an inaugural director of Health Equity in Action for Liver and Digestive Diseases (HEALD) and an inaugural fellow of the United Hospital Fund’s Health Equity Fellowship. In 2025, she received the AGA-Pfizer Beacon of Hope Award, which celebrates three women in the GI field who have played a key role in advancing gender and health equity in medicine.
“Through the United Hospital Fund’s Health Equity Fellowship, I have partnered with an East Harlem community health center to conduct seminars and tailor a one-page shared decision tool for colorectal cancer screening to jumpstart discussions on screening choices between patients and providers,” said Dr. White.
In an interview, she offered more details about her mission to connect with communities to improve screening rates for colorectal cancer.
Can you discuss your work with HEALD?
Dr. White: HEALD is a growing initiative to identify and address any access barriers to our screening programs. At this time, I’m working to identify how patients are getting referred to us in our division for colorectal cancer screening and how we can create a more streamlined and robust pathway for patients in the community, namely at federally qualified health centers in East Harlem.
You co-founded the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH) in 2021. What are you hoping to accomplish with this organization?
Dr. White: ABGH was co-founded by eleven of us from across the country for the purpose of addressing health care disparities in GI and liver diseases that disproportionately affect Black patient populations. Our mission is to promote health equity, advance science and develop the careers of Black gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and scientists.
Our mentorship program is one way we give back to incoming residents who are interested in pursuing a career in GI. The Nurturing, Excelling, and Unifying Sisters in Medicine (NEXUS) conference centers the perspectives of Black women in medicine from all specialties. The ABGH Summit is an educational conference that features renowned experts in the health equity space.
But at the center of it all is our community outreach. When we started the organization after Chadwick Boseman’s death during the height of the COVID pandemic, all our community events were held over Zoom. Now with our in-person events you can feel the energy in the room. Our main community facing event is called Bustin’ A Gut. It’s a genius combination of comedy and medical education. We have a panel of physicians and comedians. The physicians talk about a range of GI topics such as colorectal cancer screening choices, alarm signs or symptoms of colon cancer, nutrition, and general gut health. The community members feel comfortable asking their questions and the comedians help keep the conversation entertaining and lighthearted. It’s a true laugh and learn event.
How did you become interested in health equity? Was there a specific event or circumstance you could share?
Dr. White: It was my residency training at New York University and my experiences at Bellevue Hospital that really introduced me to a place where everyone could get care. Whether you are coming from another country or right up the street, Bellevue saw everyone who walked through its doors. This is in deep contrast to the vast majority of hospitals where if you do not have insurance, you cannot be seen. Then there are people who have access to care but are overwhelmed by the complexities of the medical system.
Consider colorectal cancer, for example. It is a preventable disease, yet most people aren’t getting screened because they either don’t know they should, they are fearful of the process, or they don’t know how to go about getting the tests done. These are namely knowledge barriers that we can address. I thought: If there’s something I could do to help patients learn about colorectal cancer screening and how they can take steps to prevent this disease, then that’s how I want to spend my career.
You created the Direct Access GI Clinic (DAGIC), one of the projects that led to the AGA-Pfizer Beacon of Hope Award for Gender and Health Equity. How does DAGIC reduce wait times and improve endoscopic care coordination for underserved, high-risk patients?
Dr. White: I developed and implemented a clinic workflow that identified high-risk patients who were sent for direct access procedures but who needed office consultations prior to their procedures. These were the sickest of the sickest patients that needed to be prioritized. Working with my nurse practitioner and office ncurse, we triaged these patients and carved out dedicated time in the week where only DAGIC patients were scheduled.
Creating this direct workflow meant that these patients no longer had to wait three months. They were waiting at most, two to three weeks to be seen. I don’t take for granted that one change in a system can lead to impactful outcomes in patient care and access.
You also co-authored an update to the American College of Gastroenterology’s colorectal cancer screening guidelines for African Americans. Is there anything unique and important that’s worth noting?
Dr. White: We updated those guidelines to include physician recommendation as a potential barrier to screening. We know that patients are more likely to be screened if they are recommended to do so by their physician. Yet, some patients are less likely to receive a physician recommendation for screening. We need to dive deeper into the reasons why this is happening. And if there are any gaps, for example in physician knowledge, that’s something we should readily address.
One of your interests is guiding students, residents, and fellows. What advice would you give to aspiring medical students?
Dr. White: Keep an open mind and explore all your options before committing to a specialty. If you find the field exciting and you are motivated to spend time learning more about it, seek opportunities to conduct research and find a mentor that can further guide you on your journey.
Lightning Round
What’s your favorite season of the year?
Fall
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?
Playing golf
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
Barack Obama
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
What’s one thing on your bucket list?
Travel to Rome
If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be?
Speak Mandarin
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
Watching Hallmark movies with my daughter
Are you a planner or more spontaneous?
Planner
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Progress, not perfection
Expand Your GI Community with AGA Membership
Renew your AGA membership by Dec. 31 to continue getting to know your AGA Gastro Squad through our monthly column. AGA member spotlights introduce members to one another while recognizing their accomplishments.
Want to recognize a colleague? Submit a nomination to GINews@gastro.org.
Pascale M. White, MD, MBA, MS never tires of excising precancerous polyps.
“To know that I have removed something that could have been potentially dangerous to this patient in years to come, that wasn’t causing any symptoms but silently lurking there” is a great feeling, said Dr. White, an associate professor with dual appointments in the divisions of gastroenterology and liver diseases at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York.
“When I do procedures, I always go in with the mindset that this could be a lifesaving procedure for this patient. And that definitely keeps me excited about the field,” she said.
Colorectal cancer is preventable, but when it comes to screening, there are large health disparities. African Americans are 20% more likely to get diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 40% more likely to die from the disease. “Knowing that there are low screening rates among this population, there’s a lot of work to be done with mitigating those disparities,” said Dr. White, who has made it her life’s work to expand access to care and address health inequities.
Dr. White is an inaugural director of Health Equity in Action for Liver and Digestive Diseases (HEALD) and an inaugural fellow of the United Hospital Fund’s Health Equity Fellowship. In 2025, she received the AGA-Pfizer Beacon of Hope Award, which celebrates three women in the GI field who have played a key role in advancing gender and health equity in medicine.
“Through the United Hospital Fund’s Health Equity Fellowship, I have partnered with an East Harlem community health center to conduct seminars and tailor a one-page shared decision tool for colorectal cancer screening to jumpstart discussions on screening choices between patients and providers,” said Dr. White.
In an interview, she offered more details about her mission to connect with communities to improve screening rates for colorectal cancer.
Can you discuss your work with HEALD?
Dr. White: HEALD is a growing initiative to identify and address any access barriers to our screening programs. At this time, I’m working to identify how patients are getting referred to us in our division for colorectal cancer screening and how we can create a more streamlined and robust pathway for patients in the community, namely at federally qualified health centers in East Harlem.
You co-founded the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH) in 2021. What are you hoping to accomplish with this organization?
Dr. White: ABGH was co-founded by eleven of us from across the country for the purpose of addressing health care disparities in GI and liver diseases that disproportionately affect Black patient populations. Our mission is to promote health equity, advance science and develop the careers of Black gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and scientists.
Our mentorship program is one way we give back to incoming residents who are interested in pursuing a career in GI. The Nurturing, Excelling, and Unifying Sisters in Medicine (NEXUS) conference centers the perspectives of Black women in medicine from all specialties. The ABGH Summit is an educational conference that features renowned experts in the health equity space.
But at the center of it all is our community outreach. When we started the organization after Chadwick Boseman’s death during the height of the COVID pandemic, all our community events were held over Zoom. Now with our in-person events you can feel the energy in the room. Our main community facing event is called Bustin’ A Gut. It’s a genius combination of comedy and medical education. We have a panel of physicians and comedians. The physicians talk about a range of GI topics such as colorectal cancer screening choices, alarm signs or symptoms of colon cancer, nutrition, and general gut health. The community members feel comfortable asking their questions and the comedians help keep the conversation entertaining and lighthearted. It’s a true laugh and learn event.
How did you become interested in health equity? Was there a specific event or circumstance you could share?
Dr. White: It was my residency training at New York University and my experiences at Bellevue Hospital that really introduced me to a place where everyone could get care. Whether you are coming from another country or right up the street, Bellevue saw everyone who walked through its doors. This is in deep contrast to the vast majority of hospitals where if you do not have insurance, you cannot be seen. Then there are people who have access to care but are overwhelmed by the complexities of the medical system.
Consider colorectal cancer, for example. It is a preventable disease, yet most people aren’t getting screened because they either don’t know they should, they are fearful of the process, or they don’t know how to go about getting the tests done. These are namely knowledge barriers that we can address. I thought: If there’s something I could do to help patients learn about colorectal cancer screening and how they can take steps to prevent this disease, then that’s how I want to spend my career.
You created the Direct Access GI Clinic (DAGIC), one of the projects that led to the AGA-Pfizer Beacon of Hope Award for Gender and Health Equity. How does DAGIC reduce wait times and improve endoscopic care coordination for underserved, high-risk patients?
Dr. White: I developed and implemented a clinic workflow that identified high-risk patients who were sent for direct access procedures but who needed office consultations prior to their procedures. These were the sickest of the sickest patients that needed to be prioritized. Working with my nurse practitioner and office ncurse, we triaged these patients and carved out dedicated time in the week where only DAGIC patients were scheduled.
Creating this direct workflow meant that these patients no longer had to wait three months. They were waiting at most, two to three weeks to be seen. I don’t take for granted that one change in a system can lead to impactful outcomes in patient care and access.
You also co-authored an update to the American College of Gastroenterology’s colorectal cancer screening guidelines for African Americans. Is there anything unique and important that’s worth noting?
Dr. White: We updated those guidelines to include physician recommendation as a potential barrier to screening. We know that patients are more likely to be screened if they are recommended to do so by their physician. Yet, some patients are less likely to receive a physician recommendation for screening. We need to dive deeper into the reasons why this is happening. And if there are any gaps, for example in physician knowledge, that’s something we should readily address.
One of your interests is guiding students, residents, and fellows. What advice would you give to aspiring medical students?
Dr. White: Keep an open mind and explore all your options before committing to a specialty. If you find the field exciting and you are motivated to spend time learning more about it, seek opportunities to conduct research and find a mentor that can further guide you on your journey.
Lightning Round
What’s your favorite season of the year?
Fall
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?
Playing golf
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
Barack Obama
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
What’s one thing on your bucket list?
Travel to Rome
If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be?
Speak Mandarin
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
Watching Hallmark movies with my daughter
Are you a planner or more spontaneous?
Planner
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Progress, not perfection
Expand Your GI Community with AGA Membership
Renew your AGA membership by Dec. 31 to continue getting to know your AGA Gastro Squad through our monthly column. AGA member spotlights introduce members to one another while recognizing their accomplishments.
Want to recognize a colleague? Submit a nomination to GINews@gastro.org.
Pascale M. White, MD, MBA, MS never tires of excising precancerous polyps.
“To know that I have removed something that could have been potentially dangerous to this patient in years to come, that wasn’t causing any symptoms but silently lurking there” is a great feeling, said Dr. White, an associate professor with dual appointments in the divisions of gastroenterology and liver diseases at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York.
“When I do procedures, I always go in with the mindset that this could be a lifesaving procedure for this patient. And that definitely keeps me excited about the field,” she said.
Colorectal cancer is preventable, but when it comes to screening, there are large health disparities. African Americans are 20% more likely to get diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 40% more likely to die from the disease. “Knowing that there are low screening rates among this population, there’s a lot of work to be done with mitigating those disparities,” said Dr. White, who has made it her life’s work to expand access to care and address health inequities.
Dr. White is an inaugural director of Health Equity in Action for Liver and Digestive Diseases (HEALD) and an inaugural fellow of the United Hospital Fund’s Health Equity Fellowship. In 2025, she received the AGA-Pfizer Beacon of Hope Award, which celebrates three women in the GI field who have played a key role in advancing gender and health equity in medicine.
“Through the United Hospital Fund’s Health Equity Fellowship, I have partnered with an East Harlem community health center to conduct seminars and tailor a one-page shared decision tool for colorectal cancer screening to jumpstart discussions on screening choices between patients and providers,” said Dr. White.
In an interview, she offered more details about her mission to connect with communities to improve screening rates for colorectal cancer.
Can you discuss your work with HEALD?
Dr. White: HEALD is a growing initiative to identify and address any access barriers to our screening programs. At this time, I’m working to identify how patients are getting referred to us in our division for colorectal cancer screening and how we can create a more streamlined and robust pathway for patients in the community, namely at federally qualified health centers in East Harlem.
You co-founded the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH) in 2021. What are you hoping to accomplish with this organization?
Dr. White: ABGH was co-founded by eleven of us from across the country for the purpose of addressing health care disparities in GI and liver diseases that disproportionately affect Black patient populations. Our mission is to promote health equity, advance science and develop the careers of Black gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and scientists.
Our mentorship program is one way we give back to incoming residents who are interested in pursuing a career in GI. The Nurturing, Excelling, and Unifying Sisters in Medicine (NEXUS) conference centers the perspectives of Black women in medicine from all specialties. The ABGH Summit is an educational conference that features renowned experts in the health equity space.
But at the center of it all is our community outreach. When we started the organization after Chadwick Boseman’s death during the height of the COVID pandemic, all our community events were held over Zoom. Now with our in-person events you can feel the energy in the room. Our main community facing event is called Bustin’ A Gut. It’s a genius combination of comedy and medical education. We have a panel of physicians and comedians. The physicians talk about a range of GI topics such as colorectal cancer screening choices, alarm signs or symptoms of colon cancer, nutrition, and general gut health. The community members feel comfortable asking their questions and the comedians help keep the conversation entertaining and lighthearted. It’s a true laugh and learn event.
How did you become interested in health equity? Was there a specific event or circumstance you could share?
Dr. White: It was my residency training at New York University and my experiences at Bellevue Hospital that really introduced me to a place where everyone could get care. Whether you are coming from another country or right up the street, Bellevue saw everyone who walked through its doors. This is in deep contrast to the vast majority of hospitals where if you do not have insurance, you cannot be seen. Then there are people who have access to care but are overwhelmed by the complexities of the medical system.
Consider colorectal cancer, for example. It is a preventable disease, yet most people aren’t getting screened because they either don’t know they should, they are fearful of the process, or they don’t know how to go about getting the tests done. These are namely knowledge barriers that we can address. I thought: If there’s something I could do to help patients learn about colorectal cancer screening and how they can take steps to prevent this disease, then that’s how I want to spend my career.
You created the Direct Access GI Clinic (DAGIC), one of the projects that led to the AGA-Pfizer Beacon of Hope Award for Gender and Health Equity. How does DAGIC reduce wait times and improve endoscopic care coordination for underserved, high-risk patients?
Dr. White: I developed and implemented a clinic workflow that identified high-risk patients who were sent for direct access procedures but who needed office consultations prior to their procedures. These were the sickest of the sickest patients that needed to be prioritized. Working with my nurse practitioner and office ncurse, we triaged these patients and carved out dedicated time in the week where only DAGIC patients were scheduled.
Creating this direct workflow meant that these patients no longer had to wait three months. They were waiting at most, two to three weeks to be seen. I don’t take for granted that one change in a system can lead to impactful outcomes in patient care and access.
You also co-authored an update to the American College of Gastroenterology’s colorectal cancer screening guidelines for African Americans. Is there anything unique and important that’s worth noting?
Dr. White: We updated those guidelines to include physician recommendation as a potential barrier to screening. We know that patients are more likely to be screened if they are recommended to do so by their physician. Yet, some patients are less likely to receive a physician recommendation for screening. We need to dive deeper into the reasons why this is happening. And if there are any gaps, for example in physician knowledge, that’s something we should readily address.
One of your interests is guiding students, residents, and fellows. What advice would you give to aspiring medical students?
Dr. White: Keep an open mind and explore all your options before committing to a specialty. If you find the field exciting and you are motivated to spend time learning more about it, seek opportunities to conduct research and find a mentor that can further guide you on your journey.
Lightning Round
What’s your favorite season of the year?
Fall
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?
Playing golf
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
Barack Obama
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
What’s one thing on your bucket list?
Travel to Rome
If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be?
Speak Mandarin
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
Watching Hallmark movies with my daughter
Are you a planner or more spontaneous?
Planner
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Progress, not perfection
Expand Your GI Community with AGA Membership
Renew your AGA membership by Dec. 31 to continue getting to know your AGA Gastro Squad through our monthly column. AGA member spotlights introduce members to one another while recognizing their accomplishments.
Want to recognize a colleague? Submit a nomination to GINews@gastro.org.
Supporting Exceptional Researchers
Did you know that the AGA Research Foundation helped support 74 researchers this past May?
But we can’t do it without you. We depend on the generosity of our supporters to make our vision for the future a reality.
When you donate to AGA Research Foundation, you don’t just give funds – you personally give our beneficiaries grant funding that will lead to new discoveries in GI. Your support goes directly towards funding GI research, helping us address immediate needs while building the foundation for long-term solutions. Plus, you’ll become part of a community full of passionate members like you.
It’s easy to make your mark on our efforts to support investigators. Simply visit our website or learn more ways to give here: www.foundation@gastro.org or contact us at foundation@gastro.org.
Did you know that the AGA Research Foundation helped support 74 researchers this past May?
But we can’t do it without you. We depend on the generosity of our supporters to make our vision for the future a reality.
When you donate to AGA Research Foundation, you don’t just give funds – you personally give our beneficiaries grant funding that will lead to new discoveries in GI. Your support goes directly towards funding GI research, helping us address immediate needs while building the foundation for long-term solutions. Plus, you’ll become part of a community full of passionate members like you.
It’s easy to make your mark on our efforts to support investigators. Simply visit our website or learn more ways to give here: www.foundation@gastro.org or contact us at foundation@gastro.org.
Did you know that the AGA Research Foundation helped support 74 researchers this past May?
But we can’t do it without you. We depend on the generosity of our supporters to make our vision for the future a reality.
When you donate to AGA Research Foundation, you don’t just give funds – you personally give our beneficiaries grant funding that will lead to new discoveries in GI. Your support goes directly towards funding GI research, helping us address immediate needs while building the foundation for long-term solutions. Plus, you’ll become part of a community full of passionate members like you.
It’s easy to make your mark on our efforts to support investigators. Simply visit our website or learn more ways to give here: www.foundation@gastro.org or contact us at foundation@gastro.org.
Support GI Research Through a Named Research Award
Did you know you can honor a family member, friend, or colleague whose life has been touched by GI research through a gift to the AGA Research Foundation? Your gift will honor a loved one or yourself and support the AGA Research Awards Program, while giving you a tax benefit.
Named award. An AGA pilot award can be renamed after you or a loved one, and targeted for a specific gastrointestinal research area. A new pilot research award can be established with a pledge of $40,000+ or through an estate gift. Gifts of cash or appreciated securities may be used to establish a named award.
Your next step. A named award gift is a wonderful way to acknowledge a loved one’s vision for the future. To learn more about ways to recognize your honoree, contact us at foundation@gastro.org.
A lack of funding can prevent talented individuals from pursuing a research career, thereby denying them the opportunity to conduct work that will ultimately benefit patients with critical needs.
Did you know you can honor a family member, friend, or colleague whose life has been touched by GI research through a gift to the AGA Research Foundation? Your gift will honor a loved one or yourself and support the AGA Research Awards Program, while giving you a tax benefit.
Named award. An AGA pilot award can be renamed after you or a loved one, and targeted for a specific gastrointestinal research area. A new pilot research award can be established with a pledge of $40,000+ or through an estate gift. Gifts of cash or appreciated securities may be used to establish a named award.
Your next step. A named award gift is a wonderful way to acknowledge a loved one’s vision for the future. To learn more about ways to recognize your honoree, contact us at foundation@gastro.org.
A lack of funding can prevent talented individuals from pursuing a research career, thereby denying them the opportunity to conduct work that will ultimately benefit patients with critical needs.
Did you know you can honor a family member, friend, or colleague whose life has been touched by GI research through a gift to the AGA Research Foundation? Your gift will honor a loved one or yourself and support the AGA Research Awards Program, while giving you a tax benefit.
Named award. An AGA pilot award can be renamed after you or a loved one, and targeted for a specific gastrointestinal research area. A new pilot research award can be established with a pledge of $40,000+ or through an estate gift. Gifts of cash or appreciated securities may be used to establish a named award.
Your next step. A named award gift is a wonderful way to acknowledge a loved one’s vision for the future. To learn more about ways to recognize your honoree, contact us at foundation@gastro.org.
A lack of funding can prevent talented individuals from pursuing a research career, thereby denying them the opportunity to conduct work that will ultimately benefit patients with critical needs.
How IBS Disrupts Daily Life: AGA Survey
A new survey from AGA, in partnership with The Harris Poll, revealed that IBS symptoms interfere with people’s lives an average of 19 days each month — about 11 days affecting work or school and 8 days curtailing personal activities.
Missed work or school has climbed to 3.6 days per month from 2.1 days in 2015 — the last time the AGA released the “IBS in America” survey. And more patients report spending less time with family and friends because of their symptoms (58% now, up from 48% in 2015).
The latest survey was conducted in fall 2024 among more than 2000 patients with IBS and 600 healthcare providers, including gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, and advanced practitioners.
Stark Realities of Life With IBS
Fewer patients in 2024 described their IBS symptoms as very or extremely bothersome (43%, compared to 62% in 2015), yet three quarters said it’s tough to manage their symptoms and most can’t accurately predict whether they will experience symptoms on a given day.
All this affects patients’ willingness or ability to make plans. More than three quarters (77%) said they avoid situations where bathroom access is limited, and nearly that many (72%) said their symptoms cause them to stay home more often.
About 7 in 10 patients said their IBS symptoms make them feel like they’re not “normal” or that their symptoms prevent them from reaching their full potential.
“The findings of this survey underscore the persistent challenges and impact IBS has on patients’ lives,” said Andrea Shin, MD, gastroenterologist with UCLA Health, Los Angeles, and AGA patient education advisor.
“Despite progress in the medical community’s approach to diagnosing and managing IBS, patients continue to suffer significant disruptions to their personal and professional lives,” Shin noted.
How Is IBS Treated?
Treatment options for IBS have evolved over the last decade or so and now include several FDA-approved agents, such as plecanatide (Trulance) and tenapanor (Ibsrela) for IBS with constipation (IBS-C) and rifaximin (Xifaxan) and eluxadoline (Viberzi) for IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D).
According to patients who have tried them, prescription medications are among the most helpful treatments (18% for IBS-C and 19% for IBS-D).
Yet, clinicians tend to prioritize fiber, nonprescription laxatives, and exercise for IBS-C, and diet changes, antidiarrheals, and probiotics for IBS-D, over prescription medications, the survey found.
Nonetheless, about 78% of patients reported being satisfied with what they take for their symptoms, with about one quarter very satisfied.
Compared to 10 years ago, more physicians in the latest survey said effective relief of abdominal pain (49% vs 39%) or diarrhea/constipation (47% vs 33%) and the availability of treatment options (49% vs 34%) are what is most lacking in IBS treatment today, despite advancements in the IBS treatment landscape.
“IBS is a condition that continues to challenge patients to find a treatment that consistently works for them,” said Jeffrey Roberts, founder of the IBS Patient Support Group community and World IBS Day.
“The AGA IBS in America Survey sheds light on patients who are still not being offered a variety of treatments that could provide them with a better quality of life. This continues to result in disruptions to their career, schooling, and life with their families and friends,” Roberts added.
A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.
A new survey from AGA, in partnership with The Harris Poll, revealed that IBS symptoms interfere with people’s lives an average of 19 days each month — about 11 days affecting work or school and 8 days curtailing personal activities.
Missed work or school has climbed to 3.6 days per month from 2.1 days in 2015 — the last time the AGA released the “IBS in America” survey. And more patients report spending less time with family and friends because of their symptoms (58% now, up from 48% in 2015).
The latest survey was conducted in fall 2024 among more than 2000 patients with IBS and 600 healthcare providers, including gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, and advanced practitioners.
Stark Realities of Life With IBS
Fewer patients in 2024 described their IBS symptoms as very or extremely bothersome (43%, compared to 62% in 2015), yet three quarters said it’s tough to manage their symptoms and most can’t accurately predict whether they will experience symptoms on a given day.
All this affects patients’ willingness or ability to make plans. More than three quarters (77%) said they avoid situations where bathroom access is limited, and nearly that many (72%) said their symptoms cause them to stay home more often.
About 7 in 10 patients said their IBS symptoms make them feel like they’re not “normal” or that their symptoms prevent them from reaching their full potential.
“The findings of this survey underscore the persistent challenges and impact IBS has on patients’ lives,” said Andrea Shin, MD, gastroenterologist with UCLA Health, Los Angeles, and AGA patient education advisor.
“Despite progress in the medical community’s approach to diagnosing and managing IBS, patients continue to suffer significant disruptions to their personal and professional lives,” Shin noted.
How Is IBS Treated?
Treatment options for IBS have evolved over the last decade or so and now include several FDA-approved agents, such as plecanatide (Trulance) and tenapanor (Ibsrela) for IBS with constipation (IBS-C) and rifaximin (Xifaxan) and eluxadoline (Viberzi) for IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D).
According to patients who have tried them, prescription medications are among the most helpful treatments (18% for IBS-C and 19% for IBS-D).
Yet, clinicians tend to prioritize fiber, nonprescription laxatives, and exercise for IBS-C, and diet changes, antidiarrheals, and probiotics for IBS-D, over prescription medications, the survey found.
Nonetheless, about 78% of patients reported being satisfied with what they take for their symptoms, with about one quarter very satisfied.
Compared to 10 years ago, more physicians in the latest survey said effective relief of abdominal pain (49% vs 39%) or diarrhea/constipation (47% vs 33%) and the availability of treatment options (49% vs 34%) are what is most lacking in IBS treatment today, despite advancements in the IBS treatment landscape.
“IBS is a condition that continues to challenge patients to find a treatment that consistently works for them,” said Jeffrey Roberts, founder of the IBS Patient Support Group community and World IBS Day.
“The AGA IBS in America Survey sheds light on patients who are still not being offered a variety of treatments that could provide them with a better quality of life. This continues to result in disruptions to their career, schooling, and life with their families and friends,” Roberts added.
A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.
A new survey from AGA, in partnership with The Harris Poll, revealed that IBS symptoms interfere with people’s lives an average of 19 days each month — about 11 days affecting work or school and 8 days curtailing personal activities.
Missed work or school has climbed to 3.6 days per month from 2.1 days in 2015 — the last time the AGA released the “IBS in America” survey. And more patients report spending less time with family and friends because of their symptoms (58% now, up from 48% in 2015).
The latest survey was conducted in fall 2024 among more than 2000 patients with IBS and 600 healthcare providers, including gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, and advanced practitioners.
Stark Realities of Life With IBS
Fewer patients in 2024 described their IBS symptoms as very or extremely bothersome (43%, compared to 62% in 2015), yet three quarters said it’s tough to manage their symptoms and most can’t accurately predict whether they will experience symptoms on a given day.
All this affects patients’ willingness or ability to make plans. More than three quarters (77%) said they avoid situations where bathroom access is limited, and nearly that many (72%) said their symptoms cause them to stay home more often.
About 7 in 10 patients said their IBS symptoms make them feel like they’re not “normal” or that their symptoms prevent them from reaching their full potential.
“The findings of this survey underscore the persistent challenges and impact IBS has on patients’ lives,” said Andrea Shin, MD, gastroenterologist with UCLA Health, Los Angeles, and AGA patient education advisor.
“Despite progress in the medical community’s approach to diagnosing and managing IBS, patients continue to suffer significant disruptions to their personal and professional lives,” Shin noted.
How Is IBS Treated?
Treatment options for IBS have evolved over the last decade or so and now include several FDA-approved agents, such as plecanatide (Trulance) and tenapanor (Ibsrela) for IBS with constipation (IBS-C) and rifaximin (Xifaxan) and eluxadoline (Viberzi) for IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D).
According to patients who have tried them, prescription medications are among the most helpful treatments (18% for IBS-C and 19% for IBS-D).
Yet, clinicians tend to prioritize fiber, nonprescription laxatives, and exercise for IBS-C, and diet changes, antidiarrheals, and probiotics for IBS-D, over prescription medications, the survey found.
Nonetheless, about 78% of patients reported being satisfied with what they take for their symptoms, with about one quarter very satisfied.
Compared to 10 years ago, more physicians in the latest survey said effective relief of abdominal pain (49% vs 39%) or diarrhea/constipation (47% vs 33%) and the availability of treatment options (49% vs 34%) are what is most lacking in IBS treatment today, despite advancements in the IBS treatment landscape.
“IBS is a condition that continues to challenge patients to find a treatment that consistently works for them,” said Jeffrey Roberts, founder of the IBS Patient Support Group community and World IBS Day.
“The AGA IBS in America Survey sheds light on patients who are still not being offered a variety of treatments that could provide them with a better quality of life. This continues to result in disruptions to their career, schooling, and life with their families and friends,” Roberts added.
A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.
AGA Women’s Committee Outlines Roadmap Towards Gender Equity
Despite the increasing number of women joining the field, GI remains one of the most male-dominated medical subspecialties. and has highlighted future directions to achieve gender equality in GI.
The AGA Gender Equity Framework outlines six domains of action, the current state and desired future state: bias & gender disparities, leadership & career advancement, wellness & balance, retention & recruitment, mentorship & sponsorship, and recognition.
Based on the desired future state, the group created a roadmap towards gender equity with measurable tactics. Career development workshops, including the Women in GI regional workshops and Women’s Executive Leadership Conference, are both crucial tactics.
AGA outlined a few key areas for future gender equity efforts to focus on:
- Clearer GI-specific transparency guidelines regarding recruitment, salary, promotions, funding, and leadership.
- Pathway and research programs that help students from underrepresented backgrounds get involved and stay engaged in GI.
- Support networks (through GI societies, institutions, or other organizations) that help women connect, collaborate, and grow their careers.
The AGA Women’s Committee, along with other AGA committees, will continue to work to achieve the vision laid out in the AGA Gender Equity Framework and Gender Equity Road Map.
Despite the increasing number of women joining the field, GI remains one of the most male-dominated medical subspecialties. and has highlighted future directions to achieve gender equality in GI.
The AGA Gender Equity Framework outlines six domains of action, the current state and desired future state: bias & gender disparities, leadership & career advancement, wellness & balance, retention & recruitment, mentorship & sponsorship, and recognition.
Based on the desired future state, the group created a roadmap towards gender equity with measurable tactics. Career development workshops, including the Women in GI regional workshops and Women’s Executive Leadership Conference, are both crucial tactics.
AGA outlined a few key areas for future gender equity efforts to focus on:
- Clearer GI-specific transparency guidelines regarding recruitment, salary, promotions, funding, and leadership.
- Pathway and research programs that help students from underrepresented backgrounds get involved and stay engaged in GI.
- Support networks (through GI societies, institutions, or other organizations) that help women connect, collaborate, and grow their careers.
The AGA Women’s Committee, along with other AGA committees, will continue to work to achieve the vision laid out in the AGA Gender Equity Framework and Gender Equity Road Map.
Despite the increasing number of women joining the field, GI remains one of the most male-dominated medical subspecialties. and has highlighted future directions to achieve gender equality in GI.
The AGA Gender Equity Framework outlines six domains of action, the current state and desired future state: bias & gender disparities, leadership & career advancement, wellness & balance, retention & recruitment, mentorship & sponsorship, and recognition.
Based on the desired future state, the group created a roadmap towards gender equity with measurable tactics. Career development workshops, including the Women in GI regional workshops and Women’s Executive Leadership Conference, are both crucial tactics.
AGA outlined a few key areas for future gender equity efforts to focus on:
- Clearer GI-specific transparency guidelines regarding recruitment, salary, promotions, funding, and leadership.
- Pathway and research programs that help students from underrepresented backgrounds get involved and stay engaged in GI.
- Support networks (through GI societies, institutions, or other organizations) that help women connect, collaborate, and grow their careers.
The AGA Women’s Committee, along with other AGA committees, will continue to work to achieve the vision laid out in the AGA Gender Equity Framework and Gender Equity Road Map.
Help Sustain GI Research
Scientists are working hard to develop new treatments and therapies, and to discover cures to advance the field and better patient care. But they can’t do this without research funding.
A lack of funding can prevent talented individuals from pursuing a research career, thereby denying them the opportunity to conduct work that will ultimately benefit patients with critical needs.
Treatment options for digestive diseases begin with rigorous research, but the limited funding available for physician-scientists to conduct research puts the field at risk of losing talented investigators.
As an AGA member, you have the power to make a difference. By increasing the number of talented women and men doing state-of-the-art research, you can help improve care for all patients suffering from digestive diseases.
Your gift to the AGA Research Foundation will catalyze discovery and career growth for a promising researcher in gastroenterology and hepatology. Please help us fund the next generation of GI researchers by donating today at https://foundation.gastro.org.
Scientists are working hard to develop new treatments and therapies, and to discover cures to advance the field and better patient care. But they can’t do this without research funding.
A lack of funding can prevent talented individuals from pursuing a research career, thereby denying them the opportunity to conduct work that will ultimately benefit patients with critical needs.
Treatment options for digestive diseases begin with rigorous research, but the limited funding available for physician-scientists to conduct research puts the field at risk of losing talented investigators.
As an AGA member, you have the power to make a difference. By increasing the number of talented women and men doing state-of-the-art research, you can help improve care for all patients suffering from digestive diseases.
Your gift to the AGA Research Foundation will catalyze discovery and career growth for a promising researcher in gastroenterology and hepatology. Please help us fund the next generation of GI researchers by donating today at https://foundation.gastro.org.
Scientists are working hard to develop new treatments and therapies, and to discover cures to advance the field and better patient care. But they can’t do this without research funding.
A lack of funding can prevent talented individuals from pursuing a research career, thereby denying them the opportunity to conduct work that will ultimately benefit patients with critical needs.
Treatment options for digestive diseases begin with rigorous research, but the limited funding available for physician-scientists to conduct research puts the field at risk of losing talented investigators.
As an AGA member, you have the power to make a difference. By increasing the number of talented women and men doing state-of-the-art research, you can help improve care for all patients suffering from digestive diseases.
Your gift to the AGA Research Foundation will catalyze discovery and career growth for a promising researcher in gastroenterology and hepatology. Please help us fund the next generation of GI researchers by donating today at https://foundation.gastro.org.
Hepatic Encephalopathy: Improve Diagnosis, Management, and Care
.1 HE can be deceptively subtle or profoundly severe, presenting with a wide clinical spectrum – from mild cognitive slowing to life-threatening coma. Without clear disease biomarkers, HE remains a diagnosis of exclusion, making it critical for clinicians to remain vigilant, especially in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).
The incidence of CLD is climbing, fueled by rising rates of alcohol-associated liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and hepatitis C, which is often undiagnosed. For example:
- More than 2 million Americans had alcohol-associated cirrhosis as of 2017.2
- Currently, 38% of all adults and 7–14% of children and adolescents have MASLD. By 2040, the MASLD prevalence rate for adults is projected to increase to more than 55%.3
- The economic burden is staggering – from $1 billion4 in 2003 to over $7 billion5 in hospital costs for cirrhosis-related admissions today.
These figures aren’t just statistics – they represent a growing population of patients who are at risk of developing HE, sometimes without ever receiving a proper diagnosis or follow-up care.
Because HE mimics many other forms of neurological dysfunction – delirium, alcohol intoxication, diabetes-related confusion – it can be easy to miss or misdiagnose. But differentiating HE from other causes of altered mental status is critical, especially for patients who may ultimately require liver transplantation.6, 7
Moreover, patients frequently leave the hospital without adequate education or maintenance medication for episodic overt HE. Without coordinated follow-up between primary care, hepatology, and caregivers, these patients are at risk for recurrence.
To close these practice gaps, education is key. AGA’s course, “Missing the Mark: Hepatic Encephalopathy,” provides clinicians with up-to-date guidance on:
- The changing epidemiology of cirrhosis and undiagnosed cirrhosis for patients with liver disease.
- Assessment guidelines and best practices for HE diagnosis and management.
- How to develop transition-of-care plans with patients, caretakers, and specialty providers after an initial HE diagnosis.
Take the course today: https://tinyurl.com/3muwhmj5
Don’t wait until HE is an emergency. Equip yourself with the tools to recognize it earlier, treat it effectively, and coordinate better care.
References
1. Wolf, DC. Hepatic Encephalopathy. Medscape. 2020 May 1. Retrieved from: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/186101-overview
2. Singal AK, Mathurin P. Diagnosis and treatment of alcohol-associated liver disease A review. JAMA. 2021 Jul. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.7683.
3. Younossi ZM, et al. Epidemiology of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Clin Mol Hepatol. 2025 Feb. doi: 10.3350/cmh.2024.0431.
4. Vilstrup H, et al. Hepatic encephalopathy in chronic liver disease: 2014 Practice Guideline by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the European Association for the Study of the Liver. Hepatology. 2014 Aug. doi: 10.1002/hep.27210.
5. Desai AP, et al. Increasing Economic Burden in Hospitalized Patients With Cirrhosis: Analysis of a National Database. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2019 Jul. doi: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000062.
6. Serper M, et al. Hepatic encephalopathy predicts early post-transplant cognitive and functional impairment: The Livcog cohort study. Hepatol Commun. 2025 Apr. doi: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000696.
7. Montagnese S, Bajaj JS. Impact of Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhosis on Quality-of-Life Issues. Drugs. 2019 Jan. doi: 10.1007/s40265-018-1019-y.
.1 HE can be deceptively subtle or profoundly severe, presenting with a wide clinical spectrum – from mild cognitive slowing to life-threatening coma. Without clear disease biomarkers, HE remains a diagnosis of exclusion, making it critical for clinicians to remain vigilant, especially in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).
The incidence of CLD is climbing, fueled by rising rates of alcohol-associated liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and hepatitis C, which is often undiagnosed. For example:
- More than 2 million Americans had alcohol-associated cirrhosis as of 2017.2
- Currently, 38% of all adults and 7–14% of children and adolescents have MASLD. By 2040, the MASLD prevalence rate for adults is projected to increase to more than 55%.3
- The economic burden is staggering – from $1 billion4 in 2003 to over $7 billion5 in hospital costs for cirrhosis-related admissions today.
These figures aren’t just statistics – they represent a growing population of patients who are at risk of developing HE, sometimes without ever receiving a proper diagnosis or follow-up care.
Because HE mimics many other forms of neurological dysfunction – delirium, alcohol intoxication, diabetes-related confusion – it can be easy to miss or misdiagnose. But differentiating HE from other causes of altered mental status is critical, especially for patients who may ultimately require liver transplantation.6, 7
Moreover, patients frequently leave the hospital without adequate education or maintenance medication for episodic overt HE. Without coordinated follow-up between primary care, hepatology, and caregivers, these patients are at risk for recurrence.
To close these practice gaps, education is key. AGA’s course, “Missing the Mark: Hepatic Encephalopathy,” provides clinicians with up-to-date guidance on:
- The changing epidemiology of cirrhosis and undiagnosed cirrhosis for patients with liver disease.
- Assessment guidelines and best practices for HE diagnosis and management.
- How to develop transition-of-care plans with patients, caretakers, and specialty providers after an initial HE diagnosis.
Take the course today: https://tinyurl.com/3muwhmj5
Don’t wait until HE is an emergency. Equip yourself with the tools to recognize it earlier, treat it effectively, and coordinate better care.
References
1. Wolf, DC. Hepatic Encephalopathy. Medscape. 2020 May 1. Retrieved from: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/186101-overview
2. Singal AK, Mathurin P. Diagnosis and treatment of alcohol-associated liver disease A review. JAMA. 2021 Jul. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.7683.
3. Younossi ZM, et al. Epidemiology of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Clin Mol Hepatol. 2025 Feb. doi: 10.3350/cmh.2024.0431.
4. Vilstrup H, et al. Hepatic encephalopathy in chronic liver disease: 2014 Practice Guideline by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the European Association for the Study of the Liver. Hepatology. 2014 Aug. doi: 10.1002/hep.27210.
5. Desai AP, et al. Increasing Economic Burden in Hospitalized Patients With Cirrhosis: Analysis of a National Database. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2019 Jul. doi: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000062.
6. Serper M, et al. Hepatic encephalopathy predicts early post-transplant cognitive and functional impairment: The Livcog cohort study. Hepatol Commun. 2025 Apr. doi: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000696.
7. Montagnese S, Bajaj JS. Impact of Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhosis on Quality-of-Life Issues. Drugs. 2019 Jan. doi: 10.1007/s40265-018-1019-y.
.1 HE can be deceptively subtle or profoundly severe, presenting with a wide clinical spectrum – from mild cognitive slowing to life-threatening coma. Without clear disease biomarkers, HE remains a diagnosis of exclusion, making it critical for clinicians to remain vigilant, especially in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).
The incidence of CLD is climbing, fueled by rising rates of alcohol-associated liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and hepatitis C, which is often undiagnosed. For example:
- More than 2 million Americans had alcohol-associated cirrhosis as of 2017.2
- Currently, 38% of all adults and 7–14% of children and adolescents have MASLD. By 2040, the MASLD prevalence rate for adults is projected to increase to more than 55%.3
- The economic burden is staggering – from $1 billion4 in 2003 to over $7 billion5 in hospital costs for cirrhosis-related admissions today.
These figures aren’t just statistics – they represent a growing population of patients who are at risk of developing HE, sometimes without ever receiving a proper diagnosis or follow-up care.
Because HE mimics many other forms of neurological dysfunction – delirium, alcohol intoxication, diabetes-related confusion – it can be easy to miss or misdiagnose. But differentiating HE from other causes of altered mental status is critical, especially for patients who may ultimately require liver transplantation.6, 7
Moreover, patients frequently leave the hospital without adequate education or maintenance medication for episodic overt HE. Without coordinated follow-up between primary care, hepatology, and caregivers, these patients are at risk for recurrence.
To close these practice gaps, education is key. AGA’s course, “Missing the Mark: Hepatic Encephalopathy,” provides clinicians with up-to-date guidance on:
- The changing epidemiology of cirrhosis and undiagnosed cirrhosis for patients with liver disease.
- Assessment guidelines and best practices for HE diagnosis and management.
- How to develop transition-of-care plans with patients, caretakers, and specialty providers after an initial HE diagnosis.
Take the course today: https://tinyurl.com/3muwhmj5
Don’t wait until HE is an emergency. Equip yourself with the tools to recognize it earlier, treat it effectively, and coordinate better care.
References
1. Wolf, DC. Hepatic Encephalopathy. Medscape. 2020 May 1. Retrieved from: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/186101-overview
2. Singal AK, Mathurin P. Diagnosis and treatment of alcohol-associated liver disease A review. JAMA. 2021 Jul. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.7683.
3. Younossi ZM, et al. Epidemiology of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Clin Mol Hepatol. 2025 Feb. doi: 10.3350/cmh.2024.0431.
4. Vilstrup H, et al. Hepatic encephalopathy in chronic liver disease: 2014 Practice Guideline by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the European Association for the Study of the Liver. Hepatology. 2014 Aug. doi: 10.1002/hep.27210.
5. Desai AP, et al. Increasing Economic Burden in Hospitalized Patients With Cirrhosis: Analysis of a National Database. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2019 Jul. doi: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000062.
6. Serper M, et al. Hepatic encephalopathy predicts early post-transplant cognitive and functional impairment: The Livcog cohort study. Hepatol Commun. 2025 Apr. doi: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000696.
7. Montagnese S, Bajaj JS. Impact of Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhosis on Quality-of-Life Issues. Drugs. 2019 Jan. doi: 10.1007/s40265-018-1019-y.
Simple Ways to Create Your Legacy
Creating a legacy of giving is easier than you think. As the spring season begins, take some time to start creating your legacy while supporting the AGA Research Foundation.
Here are two ideas to help you get started.
1. Name the AGA Research Foundation as a beneficiary. This arrangement is one of the most tax-smart ways to support the AGA Research Foundation after your lifetime. When you leave retirement plan assets to us, we bypass any taxes and receive the full amount.
2. Include the AGA Research Foundation in your will or living trust. This gift can be made by including as little as one sentence in your will or living trust. Plus, your gift can be modified throughout your lifetime as circumstances change.
Want to learn more about including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your future plans? Visit our website at https://foundation.gastro.org/gift-planning/.
Creating a legacy of giving is easier than you think. As the spring season begins, take some time to start creating your legacy while supporting the AGA Research Foundation.
Here are two ideas to help you get started.
1. Name the AGA Research Foundation as a beneficiary. This arrangement is one of the most tax-smart ways to support the AGA Research Foundation after your lifetime. When you leave retirement plan assets to us, we bypass any taxes and receive the full amount.
2. Include the AGA Research Foundation in your will or living trust. This gift can be made by including as little as one sentence in your will or living trust. Plus, your gift can be modified throughout your lifetime as circumstances change.
Want to learn more about including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your future plans? Visit our website at https://foundation.gastro.org/gift-planning/.
Creating a legacy of giving is easier than you think. As the spring season begins, take some time to start creating your legacy while supporting the AGA Research Foundation.
Here are two ideas to help you get started.
1. Name the AGA Research Foundation as a beneficiary. This arrangement is one of the most tax-smart ways to support the AGA Research Foundation after your lifetime. When you leave retirement plan assets to us, we bypass any taxes and receive the full amount.
2. Include the AGA Research Foundation in your will or living trust. This gift can be made by including as little as one sentence in your will or living trust. Plus, your gift can be modified throughout your lifetime as circumstances change.
Want to learn more about including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your future plans? Visit our website at https://foundation.gastro.org/gift-planning/.
Five Reasons to Update Your Will
You have a will, so you can rest easy, right? Not necessarily. If your will is outdated, it can cause more harm than good.
Even though it can provide for some contingencies, an old will can’t cover every change that may have occurred since it was first drawn. Professionals advise that you review your will every few years and more often if situations such as the following five have occurred since you last updated your will.
1. Family Changes
If you’ve had any changes in your family situation, you will probably need to update your will. Events such as marriage, divorce, death, birth, adoption, or a falling out with a loved one may affect how your estate will be distributed, who should act as guardian for your dependents, and who should be named as executor of your estate.
2. Relocating to a New State
The laws among the states vary. Moving to a new state or purchasing property in another state can affect your estate plan and how property in that state will be taxed and distributed.
3. Tax Law Changes
Federal and state legislatures are continually tinkering with federal estate and state inheritance tax laws. An old will may fail to take advantage of strategies that will minimize estate taxes.
4. You Want to Support a Favorite Cause
If you have developed a connection to a cause, you may want to benefit a particular charity with a gift in your estate. Contact us for sample language you can share with your attorney to include a gift to us in your will.
5. Changes in Your Estate’s Value
When you made your will, your assets may have been relatively modest. Now the value may be larger and your will no longer reflects how you would like your estate divided.
You will help spark future discoveries in GI. Visit our website at https://gastro.planmylegacy.org or contact us at foundation@gastro.org.
You have a will, so you can rest easy, right? Not necessarily. If your will is outdated, it can cause more harm than good.
Even though it can provide for some contingencies, an old will can’t cover every change that may have occurred since it was first drawn. Professionals advise that you review your will every few years and more often if situations such as the following five have occurred since you last updated your will.
1. Family Changes
If you’ve had any changes in your family situation, you will probably need to update your will. Events such as marriage, divorce, death, birth, adoption, or a falling out with a loved one may affect how your estate will be distributed, who should act as guardian for your dependents, and who should be named as executor of your estate.
2. Relocating to a New State
The laws among the states vary. Moving to a new state or purchasing property in another state can affect your estate plan and how property in that state will be taxed and distributed.
3. Tax Law Changes
Federal and state legislatures are continually tinkering with federal estate and state inheritance tax laws. An old will may fail to take advantage of strategies that will minimize estate taxes.
4. You Want to Support a Favorite Cause
If you have developed a connection to a cause, you may want to benefit a particular charity with a gift in your estate. Contact us for sample language you can share with your attorney to include a gift to us in your will.
5. Changes in Your Estate’s Value
When you made your will, your assets may have been relatively modest. Now the value may be larger and your will no longer reflects how you would like your estate divided.
You will help spark future discoveries in GI. Visit our website at https://gastro.planmylegacy.org or contact us at foundation@gastro.org.
You have a will, so you can rest easy, right? Not necessarily. If your will is outdated, it can cause more harm than good.
Even though it can provide for some contingencies, an old will can’t cover every change that may have occurred since it was first drawn. Professionals advise that you review your will every few years and more often if situations such as the following five have occurred since you last updated your will.
1. Family Changes
If you’ve had any changes in your family situation, you will probably need to update your will. Events such as marriage, divorce, death, birth, adoption, or a falling out with a loved one may affect how your estate will be distributed, who should act as guardian for your dependents, and who should be named as executor of your estate.
2. Relocating to a New State
The laws among the states vary. Moving to a new state or purchasing property in another state can affect your estate plan and how property in that state will be taxed and distributed.
3. Tax Law Changes
Federal and state legislatures are continually tinkering with federal estate and state inheritance tax laws. An old will may fail to take advantage of strategies that will minimize estate taxes.
4. You Want to Support a Favorite Cause
If you have developed a connection to a cause, you may want to benefit a particular charity with a gift in your estate. Contact us for sample language you can share with your attorney to include a gift to us in your will.
5. Changes in Your Estate’s Value
When you made your will, your assets may have been relatively modest. Now the value may be larger and your will no longer reflects how you would like your estate divided.
You will help spark future discoveries in GI. Visit our website at https://gastro.planmylegacy.org or contact us at foundation@gastro.org.
AGA Research Foundation Memorial and Honorary Gifts: A Special Tribute
Did you know you can honor a family member, friend, or colleague whose life has been touched by GI research through a gift to the AGA Research Foundation?
- Giving now or later. Any charitable gift can be made in honor or memory of someone.
- A gift today. An outright gift will help fund the AGA Research Awards Program. Your gift will assist in furthering basic digestive disease research which can ultimately advance research into all digestive diseases. The financial benefits include an income tax deduction and possible elimination of capital gains tax. A cash gift of $5,000 or more qualifies for membership in the AGA Supporter Circle.
- A gift through your will or living trust. You can include a bequest in your will or living trust stating that a specific asset, certain dollar amount, or more commonly a percentage of your estate will pass to the AGA Research Foundation in honor of your loved one. A gift in your will of $50,000 or more qualifies for membership in the AGA Legacy Society, which recognizes the foundation’s most generous individual donors.
- Named commentary section funds. You can support a commentary section in a specific AGA journal to honor or memorialize a loved one. This can be established with a gift of $100,000 over the course of 5 years or through an estate gift. The AGA Institute Publications Committee will work with you to provide name recognition for the commentary section in a specific AGA journal for 5 years. All content and editing will be conducted by the editorial board of the journal.
Your Next Step
An honorary gift is a wonderful way to acknowledge someone’s vision for the future. To learn more about ways to recognize your honoree, visit our website at www.foundation.gastro.org.
Did you know you can honor a family member, friend, or colleague whose life has been touched by GI research through a gift to the AGA Research Foundation?
- Giving now or later. Any charitable gift can be made in honor or memory of someone.
- A gift today. An outright gift will help fund the AGA Research Awards Program. Your gift will assist in furthering basic digestive disease research which can ultimately advance research into all digestive diseases. The financial benefits include an income tax deduction and possible elimination of capital gains tax. A cash gift of $5,000 or more qualifies for membership in the AGA Supporter Circle.
- A gift through your will or living trust. You can include a bequest in your will or living trust stating that a specific asset, certain dollar amount, or more commonly a percentage of your estate will pass to the AGA Research Foundation in honor of your loved one. A gift in your will of $50,000 or more qualifies for membership in the AGA Legacy Society, which recognizes the foundation’s most generous individual donors.
- Named commentary section funds. You can support a commentary section in a specific AGA journal to honor or memorialize a loved one. This can be established with a gift of $100,000 over the course of 5 years or through an estate gift. The AGA Institute Publications Committee will work with you to provide name recognition for the commentary section in a specific AGA journal for 5 years. All content and editing will be conducted by the editorial board of the journal.
Your Next Step
An honorary gift is a wonderful way to acknowledge someone’s vision for the future. To learn more about ways to recognize your honoree, visit our website at www.foundation.gastro.org.
Did you know you can honor a family member, friend, or colleague whose life has been touched by GI research through a gift to the AGA Research Foundation?
- Giving now or later. Any charitable gift can be made in honor or memory of someone.
- A gift today. An outright gift will help fund the AGA Research Awards Program. Your gift will assist in furthering basic digestive disease research which can ultimately advance research into all digestive diseases. The financial benefits include an income tax deduction and possible elimination of capital gains tax. A cash gift of $5,000 or more qualifies for membership in the AGA Supporter Circle.
- A gift through your will or living trust. You can include a bequest in your will or living trust stating that a specific asset, certain dollar amount, or more commonly a percentage of your estate will pass to the AGA Research Foundation in honor of your loved one. A gift in your will of $50,000 or more qualifies for membership in the AGA Legacy Society, which recognizes the foundation’s most generous individual donors.
- Named commentary section funds. You can support a commentary section in a specific AGA journal to honor or memorialize a loved one. This can be established with a gift of $100,000 over the course of 5 years or through an estate gift. The AGA Institute Publications Committee will work with you to provide name recognition for the commentary section in a specific AGA journal for 5 years. All content and editing will be conducted by the editorial board of the journal.
Your Next Step
An honorary gift is a wonderful way to acknowledge someone’s vision for the future. To learn more about ways to recognize your honoree, visit our website at www.foundation.gastro.org.