New report resulting from Lupus Research Institute's congressional advocacy describes state of lupus research, impact of disease, and barriers to care
A major report on lupus from the Secretary of Health and Human Services to the U.S. Congress this week reviews the state of the disease and documents the need for a comprehensive national provider health education program to help eliminate the barriers of racial disparities in the early medical diagnosis and treatment of lupus.
The report was the result of advocacy by the Lupus Research Institute's National Coalition of state and local lupus organizations. The LRI National Coalition (LRI) vigorously petitioned for congressional funding for a new National Lupus Health Education Program for physicians and healthcare providers, successfully working to secure federal funding of $2.6 million to date to advance needed professional education about lupus.
The new education program is led by the Office of Minority Health in the federal Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the U.S. Surgeon General and the Office of Women's Health and implemented through the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).
The Secretary's report highlights the effect of disparities on lupus patients, stating that "many still die prematurely from lupus because of complications of the disease, late diagnosis and co-occurring chronic conditions."