What is Lupus?

Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, and blood cells. In lupus, the immune system, which is supposed to protect the body from infections and foreign invaders, becomes overactive and attacks healthy tissues and organs.

Symptoms of lupus can vary widely and may include joint pain and swelling, skin rashes (often a characteristic “butterfly” rash on the face), fatigue, fever, sensitivity to sunlight, hair loss, and a range of other symptoms. The severity of lupus can also vary, with some people experiencing mild symptoms while others have more severe and potentially life-threatening complications.

What Black Women Should Know

Lupus can be a debilitating disease. With lupus, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs. These attacks produce symptoms such as inflammation in the body, rash, hair loss, skin discoloration, swelling, and pain.

Based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data, the Lupus Foundation estimates that there are nearly 16,000 new cases of lupus per year¹. Anyone can develop lupus. However, women between the ages of 15-44 make up 90% of lupus cases¹.

African American women and women of color are the most likely to be diagnosed with some form of lupus¹. For African American women, lupus is more common and starts developing at a younger age².