Health Journalism Glossary

Spirometry, spirometer

  • Algorithms and Health Disparities

Spirometry is a test of lung function. A user breathes into a spirometer, a device that measures how much air they breathe in, how much they exhale, and the force of exhalation. Spirometers have historically used race adjustments that assume a smaller lung capacity for Black and Asian patients. This race correction can lead to under-diagnosis of lung conditions such as COPD.

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