Women’s Health Equity Initiative:

Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, causing widespread inflammation and damage. Currently, there is no cure for lupus.

• 90% of the 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. with lupus are women ages 15-44.
• Lupus is 2 to 3 times more prevalent in racial and ethnic minority populations than in white populations.
• Lupus is one of the top 20 leading causes of death for women ages 5-64.

Typically, when people speak of lupus, they are referring to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common type of lupus, accounting for 70% of all cases. SLE can impact multiple organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, skin, and brain.

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Learn More About Lupus

Background on Lupus

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Autoimmune Disease Policy Agenda

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Lupus Toolkit

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Explore Other Health Conditions in the Women’s Health Equity Initiative