What is Autoimmune Disease?

Autoimmune disease is a broad category of over 100 chronic conditions that occur when the body's natural defense system - the immune system - malfunctions. Instead of protecting the body from foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria, the immune system mistakenly identifies the body's own healthy tissues, organs, and cells as a threat and launches an attack.

This malfunctioning immune response results in a wide variety of symptoms and long-term consequences depending on the body system being attacked. Conditions can be organ-specific or systemic, and as our founder knows, it is possible to be diagnosed with multiple conditions simultaneously (such as Lupus and Scleroderma).

By the Numbers

Autoimmune diseases are not rare - they represent a major public health crisis with significant disparities in who is affected:

• Prevalence: More than 50 million Americans are living with an autoimmune disease [1, 2].

• Gender Disparity: Roughly 80% of all patients diagnosed are women [2, 3].

• Racial & Ethnic Disparities: Certain communities face greater risks and more severe outcomes. For instance, African-American and Latina women are three times more likely to develop Lupus than white women [4, 5].

While women account for the vast majority of diagnoses, the Good Life Group is committed to raising awareness for all patients, particularly those facing unique challenges - including the male population. Research shows that:

• Aggressive Disease: Males with Lupus are more prone to severe disease activity and are significantly more likely to develop aggressive organ damage, such as Lupus Nephritis (kidney disease) and greater cardiovascular damage [6, 7].

• Health Literacy and Delay: Men often demonstrate lower health literacy regarding chronic illness and are less likely to seek health services, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and greater damage accrual [8].

• Mental Health Struggles: Due to societal pressures, men with chronic diseases are highly vulnerable to unaddressed mental health issues like depression and anxiety, which can hinder effective self-care [8].

By highlighting these specific disparities, we seek to raise awareness for those whose complex struggles are often overlooked, advocating for better resources and support for all people living with autoimmune disease.

The Alarming Rise in Autoimmunity

Current research indicates that the rates of autoimmune conditions are increasing worldwide, underscoring the urgency of research and awareness:

• Rising Biomarkers: A population study examining Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) - a key biomarker for autoimmunity - showed that the prevalence of ANA in the U.S. population has steadily risen, particularly among adolescents [9, 10].

• Impact on Youth: The sharpest increase was observed in adolescents, highlighting the need for dedicated research into potential environmental and lifestyle triggers [9].

Partnering for Patient Support and Research

While the Good Life Group is committed to raising funds and awareness for the autoimmune community, we strongly support the work of other dedicated organizations. We encourage you to explore their missions and resources:

• General Autoimmunity & Advocacy:

• Autoimmune Association

• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

• Disease-Specific Organizations:

• Lupus Foundation of America (LFA)

• Lupus Research Alliance

• Lupus LA

• Lupus & Allied Diseases Association

• Scleroderma Research Foundation

• Scleroderma Foundation of California

• Scleroderma Foundation

• Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN)

• Arthritis Foundation

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS)

• Crohn's & Colitis Foundation

References

1. National Stem Cell Foundation. Autoimmune Disease.

2. National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Autoimmune Disease Research (OADR-ORWH). Autoimmune Diseases and Women’s Health.

3. Autoimmune Institute. Fact Sheet on Autoimmune Disease and Women's Health.

4. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women’s Health. Lupus and women.

5. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Lupus Risk Factors.

6. Gurevitz, S. L., et al. "Evaluating Sex Differences in the Characteristics and Outcomes of Lupus Nephritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Glomerular Diseases, 2024.

7. LupusCorner. Men and Lupus: Things to Know.

8. World Health Organization (WHO). Men's health and wellbeing: addressing the challenges. (General reference for male health literacy and mental health struggles).

9. Dinse, G. E., et al. "Increasing prevalence of antinuclear antibodies in the United States." Arthritis & Rheumatology, 2020.

10. Autoimmune Institute. Autoimmunity on the Rise.