Recorded presentation

Shari W. Campbell, DPM¹, Frances E. Ashe-Goins, RN, MPH², and Retta Terry, MS². (1) Bureau of Primary Health Care, Department of Health and Human Services, 4350 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 594-4251, SCampbell@hrsa.gov, (2) Office on Women's Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Ave., S.W., Room 712E, Washington, DC 20201

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects approximately 1.4 million Americans, primarily women between the ages of 15-44. It is more commonly diagnosed in women of color with African American women being 2-3 times more affected. However, there is a lack of knowledge among the public and health care providers about Lupus. In accordance with its goals to decrease health disparities and increase education about issues involving the health of minorities and women, the DHHS/OWH developed the Lupus Education and Awareness Project. This project has resulted in partnerships with: 1) organizations that developed training and education programs for primary care providers to recognize the signs and symptoms in the early detection of Lupus; 2) minority medical associations that created programs to collaborate, coordinate and foster lupus educational outreach efforts to minority medical doctors to increase the knowledge base for physicians working with lupus patients within minority communities; and 3) community-based organizations that convened workshops for lupus patients and their families that addressed disability benefits, strategies for self-management, what questions to ask your specialist, and how to improve the understanding of lupus among employers and other health care providers. The goal of OWH’s efforts is to develop an ongoing dialogue on the impact that lupus has on countless Americans. To this end, OWH continues to support educational forums in which experts can discuss with the community questions that many have about lupus diagnosis and treatment options.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will recognize the signs and symptoms of lupus which can lead to better disease management and timely referrals to specialists as needed.
• Participants will learn about the different approaches and programs used to reach and teach patients, medical personnel and the community about lupus.
• A model program will be identified and discussed so that its practices can be used by other health care educators/personnel or community based organizations to bring awareness and education to patients and the community.

Keywords: Education,

Related Web page: www.4woman.gov

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) has always been a partner in our Lupus Program. We hope to have a representative talk about the events OWH and LFA have jointly convened.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation