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Closing the Loop for Lupus in Women’s Health Care

June 15, 2022 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by widespread inflammation that often results in damage to the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys and blood vessels. An estimated 1.5 million Americans have some form of lupus, and 90% are women between the ages of 15 and 44. Lupus is more prevalent among women of color, who also develop symptoms at younger ages and have more severe symptoms and complications from the disease. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common type of lupus, affecting multiple parts of the body, and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) primarily affects the skin. Because the symptoms of lupus mimic other diseases, a majority of patients are initially misdiagnosed, and it can take up to 6 years and seeing multiple health care specialists before receiving an accurate diagnosis. Women living with lupus have a greater risk for developing other chronic conditions, such as heart disease and osteoporosis, or lupus nephritis due to kidney inflammation and damage. Although lupus does not affect fertility, pregnant women should be aware of potential complications, such as preeclampsia.

There is no cure for lupus, and the limited treatments available primarily focus on reducing symptom flares, resulting in insufficiently improved health outcomes. There is a pressing need to address gaps in research and clinical education, and to develop policy solutions that will eliminate barriers to access for treatments and quality care for women.

SWHR hosted a virtual public forum to discuss the impacts of lupus on women’s health, including the experiences of women living with lupus, and how to navigate access and management of care.

This public forum is a follow-up to SWHR’s Lupus Roundtable in June 2022, to identify gaps in research, clinical practice, policy, and education.

This is event part of the SWHR Closing the Loop for Lupus series, which includes:

 

Details

Date:
June 15, 2022
Time:
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT
Event Categories:
, ,

Organizer

SWHR

Goals

  • Provide an overview of how lupus affects a women’s body and health differently than a man’s
  • Increase visibility of the patient experience, emphasizing ways to empower others and improve quality of care and general wellbeing
  • Discuss policy solutions that can improve access to care and treatment for women affected by lupus

Panelists

Irene Blanco, MD, MS
Professor, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Irene Blanco, MD, MS
Professor, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Irene Blanco, MD, MS, is the Associate Dean of Diversity Enhancement, Rheumatology Fellowship Program Director, and the Director of the Montefiore Lupus Clinic at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine – Montefiore Health System. Her research interests focus on addressing health disparities and the social determinants of health in rheumatology through patient and provider centered educational interventions. As the Associate Dean of Diversity Enhancement at Einstein, Dr. Blanco focuses on the diversification of the medical and biomedical workforce. She believes that only by bringing people from traditionally marginalized groups into medicine; and supporting them as they cultivate positions of leadership, are we to truly address the needs of our most vulnerable of patients. She also brings this experience to the American College of Rheumatology as the co-chair for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce.

Ayanna C. Dookie
Stand-Up Comedian, Writer, Host of HydroxychloroQUEENZ, a Podcast on Living with Lupus
Ayanna C. Dookie
Stand-Up Comedian, Writer, Host of HydroxychloroQUEENZ, a Podcast on Living with Lupus

Ayanna Dookie is a New York based stand-up comedian, writer, and co-host of HydroxychloroQUEENZ: a Podcast on Living with Lupus.  Having lived with this “cruel mystery” for almost a decade, she uses her comedy and podcast to raise Lupus awareness while also advocating for her fellow warriors.  Ayanna has performed on Laff Tracks on truTV, Laughs! on Fox, Two Dope Queens on WNYC, NPR’s Snap Judgement, and at the world famous Apollo.  Her writing can be seen on MTV’s Wild n’ Out and BET’s 50 Central.  She also co-produces and performs on Lupus Foundation of America, Northeast Region’s annual “Laugh It Up with Us” Lupus Comedy Show.

Matt Harman, PharmD, MPH
Vice President, Clinical Solutions, Employers Health Coalition
Matt Harman, PharmD, MPH
Vice President, Clinical Solutions, Employers Health Coalition

As Vice President of Clinical Solutions, Matt works to monitor, evaluate and improve the pharmacy plan performance of the Employers Health $2.2 billion PBM group purchasing programs with CVS, OptumRx and Elixir. He works proactively with the organization’s more than 275 member employers to provide clinical information and strategies to help reduce health care spend and positively influence the health of more than 1.2 million individuals. Matt founded the Employers Health managed care pharmacy residency program and currently serves as the director. Additionally, he manages and executes the organization’s flu immunization program which administers flu vaccines to thousands of individuals annually at their workplace. Matt earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Kentucky where he co-founded an Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy student chapter and served as the inaugural president. While obtaining his PharmD, he enrolled in the College of Public Health to obtain a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Service Management. Matt completed his residency training at The Ohio State University Health Plan, which expanded his knowledge and skills in managed care pharmacy.

Sponsor

SWHR’s Lupus Program is supported by educational sponsorships from by Aurinia Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly & Company. SWHR maintains editorial control and independence over educational content.