Robert M. Lintz Keynote Address - Healthcare Disparities in Lupus

Description

In this presentation, Dr. Jinoos Yazdany discusses the significant health disparities observed in individuals affected by lupus, a complex autoimmune disease. She highlights the institution's contributions to lupus research and outlines the two focal questions of her talk: examining the health outcomes of lupus patients and investigating the reasons behind observed disparities. Using data from UCSF's research efforts, she reveals that lupus predominantly affects women, particularly American Indian, Alaska Native, and Black women, who show the highest prevalence rates. Dr. Yazdany emphasizes mortality disparities, noting that Black women have historically experienced higher mortality rates from lupus compared to their White counterparts.



She presents findings from various studies, including the California Lupus Epidemiology Study (CLUES), showing alarming statistics such as lupus patients having three times the general population's mortality rates, with particularly severe outcomes for Asian and Latino women. Cardiovascular disease stands out as a leading cause of death across all racial and ethnic groups. The talk details disparities in disease manifestations, showing that Asian and Latino populations face earlier onset and more severe lupus symptoms.



Moreover, the presentation discusses overarching factors contributing to these disparities, referencing the Dahlgren and Whitehead Model of Health Determinants while underscoring the impact of structural racism. Environmental exposures, poverty, and healthcare quality are presented as critical pieces in understanding health outcomes. Through meticulously designed studies, the research team investigates how stress, access to healthcare, and adherence to medication influence lupus outcomes, finding that social determinants of health significantly affect the quality of care and patient-reported outcomes.



In conclusion, Dr. Yazdany stresses the necessity of acknowledging the multifactorial nature of health disparities and integrating social determinants with biological research to enhance understanding and address the challenges faced by lupus patients. She expresses gratitude to the participants, funders, and research staff involved in these important studies.

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