In the United States, over 35 million women live with an autoimmune disease1, yet less than 1% of women’s health funding is allocated to these conditions2. The impact is extensive: women often spend years trying to get a diagnosis, face daily symptoms that disrupt work and family life, and have
The Disproportionate Burden of Autoimmune Disease in Women Autoimmune disease is a women’s health issue! Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases (AIIDs) afflict more than 35 million women in the United States alone1. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 75-80% of autoimmune patients are female. These disparities are most evident
The world of autoimmune diseases is far more complex than medical professionals once believed. Emerging research reveals a fascinating phenomenon that challenges traditional diagnostic boundaries: polyautoimmunity. This groundbreaking concept suggests that autoimmune diseases are not isolated conditions, but are interconnected and can coexist and interact in profound ways. Defining Polyautoimmunity:
As women’s health investment continues to bloom, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (AIIDs) are an under-recognized opportunity. Despite an astonishing 75-80% of autoimmune patients being female, AIIDs are rarely included under the wide umbrella of women’s health. Even big healthcare systems have largely ignored AIIDs, especially in women. AIIDs remain a
Having dedicated decades to autoimmune patient advocacy, I have witnessed the remarkable emergence of patient voices in rheumatology, supported by the tools of the digital world, most directly by novel communication modes such as social media that support online communities. Thus, my virtual-first, digital rheumatology clinic rheumission was built on
With the explosion of social media in today’s technological landscape, patient voices are increasingly relevant in rheumatology. Across platforms, countless patients have stepped up as leaders and influencers, using their platforms to share stories and empower others. As a patient and patient advocate myself, I’m extremely appreciative of the work
In my mission to connect with autoimmune advocates, I have also collaborated with forerunners of patient advocacy and healthcare innovation. Advocacy spans beyond social media, and delves into the sectors of digital health, consulting, and innovation. In this second part, we’ll dive deeper into the dynamic world of advocacy, where
Why is a patient-first strategy mission-critical for digital health companies? My passion for strategic patient-first care is built on decades of living with autoimmune disease and advocacy for the invisible autoimmune epidemic. Despite affecting as many people, autoimmune is 50 years behind cancer: under-recognized, under-researched, and with mostly underserved patients.
Autoimmune Patient Journey The convoluted journey of patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (AIIDs) has many stages. Unlike cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, there are no population screening nor public health education programs for AIIDs. This blocks the path to early diagnosis and preventative autoimmune care. As early symptoms fluctuate
May 2022 Report This May 2022 549-page NIH report represents a significant breakthrough in autoimmune research focus. Its recommendations have major downstream implications for CDC statistics, basic research, R&D, medical education & clinical guidelines. Funded and launched in 2019, before the pandemic but even more relevant since COVID-19 spotlighted post-viral