Black women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who face racial discrimination experience increased inflammation, a study finds. The research, conducted by the Lupus Foundation of America, highlights the impact of social inequities on disease progression among Black women with SLE.
The study underscores the biological consequences of racial discrimination, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and policies to address systemic racism and promote health equity. It points to racial discrimination as a significant factor exacerbating health disparities, particularly in diseases driven by inflammatory pathways like lupus.
Lupus, an autoimmune disease, disproportionately affects Black women in the U.S., who also face more severe disease outcomes and increased mortality risk compared to their white counterparts. The findings of this study contribute to a growing body of evidence indicating the toxic health effects of racial discrimination.
The Lupus Foundation of America calls for comprehensive efforts to combat these disparities, including addressing the root causes of racial discrimination in healthcare and society at large. The study serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need to dismantle systemic barriers and create a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system for all, especially for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by autoimmune diseases like lupus.
See “Racial Discrimination Linked to Inflammation in Black Women with Lupus” on the Lupus Foundation of America website (August 23, 2023)
