Health

Lupus Disproportionately Affects Black Women

Published

9 years ago

July 14, 2015

$32 Billion in Funding Could Raise Awareness

By Shantella Y. Sherman
Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspaper

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus, is a chronic and often debilitating autoimmune disease that impacts more than 1.5 million Americans. Characterized by intense fatigue, exhaustion, joint pain, and memory problems, lupus is three times more common among the Black female populations than any other group. And, while lupus affects women in their childbearing years, the onset of lupus in Black women is earlier and more likely to develop into severe organ problems.

Among health officials lupus has been termed everything from “unpredictable,” to “misunderstood,” and is difficult to diagnose. Additionally, lupus remains a challenge to treat, according to the Lupus Foundation of America, existing outside of the national health dialogue with few awareness efforts in place. The exact cause of lupus is not known, though researchers believe that there are hereditary genetic markers that keep the immune system from functioning properly. Additionally, a number of factors can trigger lupus attacks, including viral infections, such as mononucleosis.

No two cases of lupus are alike. Some people develop kidney problems, for example, while others get premature heart disease, and others suffer from strokes or develop lung inflammation.

In recent weeks, lupus activists from around the country visited Capitol Hill, where they successfully lobbied for more than $32 billion in research funding for the National Institutes of Health and to elevate lupus on the nation’s health care agenda. The funding would not only aid researchers in studying the disease, but also supply a collective guideline for diagnosis, treatment, and outreach that could be utilized by professionals and patients alike.

“Our research has shown that, on average, individuals with lupus suffer symptoms for four or more years and visit three or more doctors before they receive a diagnosis of lupus,” said Sandra C. Raymond, president and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America. “I’m pleased to see a collaborative effort among advocacy groups, researchers, physicians and leaders in public health and government to provide critical tools that will help reduce the time to diagnosis and improve medical care for people with lupus.”

Dr. S. Sam Lim, associate professor in the Division of Rheumatology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Ga., found, in a study of Black women diagnosed with lupus, that those impacted ranged in age from 15-44 and exhibited a range of symptoms from a skin rash to kidney (renal) failure.

“These are young women in the prime of their careers, family, and fertility. This means a severely compromised future, with a disease that waxes and wanes, affecting every aspect of daily living for the rest of their lives,” Lim said. “These data directly reflect the burden of lupus in our community. These are mostly young, minority women who are going to dialysis instead of working and caring for their families.”

And despite the widespread prevalence of lupus, medical research has remained underfunded relative to its scope and devastation making the one in every 250 Black women diagnosed particularly vulnerable to misdiagnoses. Scientists are baffled as to why. Even with the famous 10-year Lupus in Minorities: Nature Versus Nurture (LUMINA) study, which tracked a sizeable multi-ethnic, multi-regional, and multi-institutional group of lupus sufferers, no consistent cause for the racial disparity was found. Genetic and ethnic factors were noted, however, to be more important than socioeconomic ones in influencing the disease’s growth.

Lim said several organizations, including the National Lupus Patient Registry, provide tremendous resources to those impacted by the disease. He said that 20 years ago, only 40 percent of people with lupus lived more than three years following diagnosis, with current therapies, most now live a normal lifespan.

“We have to build the next line of research projects to determine the additional ‘whys’ of the disproportionate rates in minorities and poorer outcomes as well as other important questions involving the role of the immune system and genetics,” Lim said.

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Calif. Dept. of Public Health: Got Milk Allergies? Don’t Eat Dave’s Bakery Cornbread

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning on Jan. 26, instructing consumers with milk allergies or “severe sensitivity to milk” in the state to not eat Dave’s Bakery Corn Bread due to “risk of illness.” The CDPH warns that consumption of the corn bread manufactured by a Gardena-based company — with expiration dates up to June 18, 2024 — may lead to “life threatening” reactions.

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Dave's Bakery Corn Bread, 9 pack/net wt. 21 oz (595g) (Courtesy of CDPH)

By California Black Media

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning on Jan. 26, instructing consumers with milk allergies or “severe sensitivity to milk” in the state to not eat Dave’s Bakery Corn Bread due to “risk of illness.”

The CDPH warns that consumption of the corn bread manufactured by a Gardena-based company — with expiration dates up to June 18, 2024 — may lead to “life threatening” reactions.

“This warning applies only to the Corn Bread produced by Bake R Us, DBA Dave’s Baking Company and distributed to schools, retail facilities and in vending machines primarily in southern California,” the DCPH statement reads.

“This product should not be confused with other similarly named companies with national distribution,” it continues.

According to the CDPH, although the corn bread product contains whey, which is a milk allergen, there is no allergy warning label on the packaging, though it is required by state law.

So far, authorities say, no illnesses have been reported in the state, but if anyone finds the products on sale anywhere in the state, they should call the CDPH complaint hotline at (800) 495-3232 or file a report online at CDPH.ca.gov

The CDPH is also recommending that people who have eaten the product and are experiencing any reaction or ill effects should consult their health care provider.

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Bay Area

East Bay Regional Park District Issues Rattlesnake Advisory

The East Bay Regional Park District released an advisory today on rattlesnakes, which emerge from winter hibernation in early spring and become more active. Warm weather can bring more potential for rattlesnake encounters with humans and dogs, particularly along trails and roads.

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Courtesy photo.

The Richmond Standard

The East Bay Regional Park District released an advisory today on rattlesnakes, which emerge from winter hibernation in early spring and become more active.

Warm weather can bring more potential for rattlesnake encounters with humans and dogs, particularly along trails and roads.

Visitors are encouraged to avoid hiking alone in case of an emergency, to scan the ground ahead as they walk, jog or ride, stay on trails avoiding tall grass, and to look carefully around and under logs and rocks before sitting down. Keep your dog on your leash to be extra safe, park officials said.

If you encounter a rattlesnake, leave it alone – it is unlawful to capture or harm one. Move carefully and slowly away or around it and give it plenty of space, park officials said.

Those who are bitten by a rattlesnake are instructed to stay calm by lying down with the affected limb lower than the heart, then having someone call 911.

Getting medical attention is critical.

Those bitten should not use tourniquets, “sucking,” or snake bite kits. If you are by yourself, walk calmly to the nearest source of help to dial 911, do not run.

If bitten by any other type of snake, wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic and seek medical attention.

Not sure what bit you? Check the bite for two puncture marks (in rare cases one) associated with intense, burning pain, which is typical of a rattlesnake bite. Other snakebites can leave marks without associated burning pain.

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Snakes are important to the natural environment, helping to control rodents and other reptile populations. But enjoy them from afar.

For more information, download the Park District’s Common Snakes brochure or watch our Gopher Snake or Rattlesnake video to learn how to tell the difference between rattlesnakes and gopher snakes. Additional information is available at ebparks.org/safety/wildlife-encounters.

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Alameda County

A Safe Place, Bay Area Domestic Violence Community Organization, Opens New Service Center in Oakland

Oakland-Bay Area non-profit, A Safe Place, announces the grand opening of its newly purchased building in Oakland that will be a service center for families that have suffered from domestic violence. The new, two-story building has over six new service rooms for counseling, mental health support groups, legal services, children’s treatment, safe space for community engagement, and partnership activities.

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Façade of the new community center for A Safe Place opening on May 10 in Oakland. Courtesy photo.

By Courtney Slocum Riley

Special to The Post

Oakland-Bay Area non-profit, A Safe Place, announces the grand opening of its newly purchased building in Oakland that will be a service center for families that have suffered from domestic violence.

The new, two-story building has over six new service rooms for counseling, mental health support groups, legal services, children’s treatment, safe space for community engagement, and partnership activities.

Domestic violence occurrences and offenses account for a considerable amount of all violent crimes in Alameda County. A Safe Place is attempting to provide a safe place for families to heal. A Safe Place is the only comprehensive domestic violence assistance program including a safehouse, in Oakland.

The grand opening celebration will also serve as a fundraiser to build out healing, therapeutic spaces for children and adult victims and survivors and survivors of domestic violence (male and female).

The new service center will expand the work of the organization, founded in 1976 when a group of women working in San Francisco came together to address the urgent need for a shelter in the East Bay. A year later, they founded A Safe Place (ASP) in Oakland. Run solely by volunteers, they set up a crisis line to offer crisis counseling and information to battered women and their children.

The organization serves over 500 adults and children annually through a host of services including crisis counseling via 24-hour crisis line, emergency motel and safehouse sheltering, mental health services (counseling and support groups).

Under the leadership of Executive Director, Carolyn Russell, the organization has grown from a single program into the comprehensive domestic violence and assistance program. ASP strives to meet the growing and diverse needs of our growing community.

The organization hopes to complete all the upgrades and therapeutic room improvements by August 2024. The public is invited to donate to the effort by using the website at www.asafeplace.org/donate. The organization also accepts in-kind gifts as well as items from the organization’s Amazon Wishlist.