Educating Residents about Lupus, a Mysterious and Devastating Autoimmune Disease that Disproportionately Affects Minorities and Women in the Prime of Their Life
Suzanne Tierney, President and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Ohio Chapter
The Lupus Foundation of America’s Help Us Solve the Cruel Mystery National Tour rolls into Cincinnati to educate residents about lupus, a mysterious and devastating autoimmune disease that disproportionately affects minorities and women in the prime of their life.
The Lupus Foundation of America’s Help Us Solve the Cruel Mystery National Tour — which includes a 45-foot purple bus, will make several stops throughout Cincinnati starting Thursday, April 4 through Saturday, April 6. The bus, open to the public for tours, will provide Cincinnati residents with an opportunity to learn about the signs and symptoms of this unknown and often misdiagnosed disease.
Of particular interest, African-Americans are two to three times more likely than Caucasians to develop lupus, and less likely to know the disease’s signs and symptoms. Cincinnati’s population is nearly 50 percent African-American, placing them in a high-risk category for the disease, and a recent nationwide survey found that one out of two African-Americans has never heard of lupus or knows little to nothing about lupus. Building awareness of lupus is essential to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this unpredictable and misunderstood disease.
Another feature of the tour will be a patient medical education event, ‘Lupus: Living and Learning’, on Saturday, April 6, where attendees will learn from medical experts about lupus symptoms, the latest research and treatments and how to access needed benefits like disability.
Ms. Tierney discusses:
- What is lupus and why is it a cruel mystery?
- Why should people know about the signs and symptoms of lupus?
- What is the Lupus Foundation of America’s Help Us Solve the Cruel Mystery National Tour?
- What will people learn by visiting the bus and participating in the TOUR’s educational events?
- What are some tips for people who think they could have lupus?
- Where can listeners go to learn more?