Be WELL
Black Women's Experiences Living with Lupus
BLACK
WOMEN'S
EXPERIENCES
LIVING
WITH
LUPUS
Recruitment is CLOSED
for the Be WELL Study!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Be WELL Study! We are no longer enrolling participants. To learn more about the Be WELL Study click here.
News //
Effects & Disparities of Lupus on Pregnancy
Recently, researchers at Duke University conducted a study that looked at the association between birth complications and women with lupus. Using a sample of over 12.5 million total births, the study reaffirmed the disparities between the health of White women with lupus and Black women with lupus. Furthermore, the study also found that Black and Hispanic women with lupus have significantly higher rates of pregnancy complication compared to white women with lupus, including preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and other conditions. This study, published in the October 2016 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, reaffirms the findings of other smaller studies that highlight the racial and ethnic disparities in the pregnancies of women with lupus.
Research underscores disparities in lupus
Research using data from the Georgia Lupus Registry highlights continuing racial disparities in lupus outcomes. The study, led by Dr. S. Sam Lim of Emory University, reaffirmed that African Americans experience greater burdens from lupus, developing the disease at earlier ages and also experiencing more serious complications. For example, end-stage renal disease is 7 times greater among African Americans compared to Whites. The study underscores the need for additional efforts to address the issues confronting African American women with lupus. The study was published in the February 2014 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
African American Women and Lupus
Lupus has the greatest impact on African American women. Studies indicate that about 1 in every 245 African American women has lupus, which is much higher than for other groups. Research also indicates that African American women with lupus face a number of challenges maintaining their health. There is a critical need for research to improve lupus outcomes among African American women. To read more on what we know about lupus among African American women and what we need to do, click here.
Be WELL stands for Black Women's Experiences Living with Lupus. The Be WELL Study (BWS) is designed to be the largest and most comprehensive study ever conducted that looks specifically at the experiences of African American women living with lupus. Over the years, we have learned that African American women contend with unique issues that impact their health. We also know that despite certain obstacles, there are also sources of strength and resiliency that allow people to thrive. The goal of this study is to learn about these experiences and how to Be WELL. To read more on what the Be WELL Study is all about, click here.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Who can participate?
What is involved?
Are there any risks?
For answers to these and other questions, go to our frequently asked questions page by clicking here.