OUR COMMITMENT

The Lupus Initiative is committed to eliminating health disparities in lupus. It is centered on providers and soon-to-be providers because we recognize that physicians, other health care professionals and trainees are uniquely positioned to have a meaningful conversation about the fundamental causes of disparities– and to take action.

Because we are housed within the American College of Rheumatology, the Initiative is uniquely positioned to reach the physician, academician, health professional and researcher- thought leaders that help us gather the information and create the tools you need in order to take action.
Read more - >

OUR DISTINCTIVE APPROACH

The Lupus Initiative provides thoughtful information to assist as you examine the causes of the persistent gaps between the health status of minorities and non-minorities, women and men and those above and below the poverty line. It also offers tools to facilitate an informed conversation addressing aspects of lupus management and factors that contribute to disparities.

Examination and Conversation. The Lupus Initiative creates a space for examination and conversation about the causes of disparities in lupus.
Read more - >

Action. Because providers can have a direct impact on disease management, The Lupus Initiative provides educational resources designed to enhance skills around disease management issues that have been shown to contribute to race, ethnicity and gender disparities in lupus. Read more - >

CIRCLE OF PARTNERSHIP

Lupus warrants particular attention and focus because it is possibly the best case study for scrutinizing a broad spectrum of pointed, real-time medical, social, policy and health care issues. Read more As such, the fight against health disparities in lupus requires a wide range of partners. The Lupus Initiative collaborates with many experts, stakeholders and organizations doing important work to achieve the common goal of improving outcomes for people living with lupus. Our Partners. Moreover, because lupus can involve multiple organ systems and because its course is influenced significantly by patients themselves, The Initiative also has significant relationships with primary care and specialist providers, patients and their allies. Read more

The Lupus Initiative is managed by The American College of Rheumatology under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It received initial funding and/or support from HHS’ Offices of Minority Health, Women’s Health, and the Surgeon General and continues to collaborate with them.