Black Health Matters Joins in Solidarity with Lupus Patients at the
Walk to End Lupus Now Event, April 21, 2018, Atlanta, Georgia
African Americans struggle with high rates of chronic diseases that are often overlooked in mainstream media. Black Health Matters the premier platform on African American health will focus its attention on Lupus in April, 2018. This will culminate with participation in the Walk to End Lupus Now event on April 21st in Atlanta, GA.
According to the Lupus Research Foundation, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It can affect virtually any part of the body including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs. The underlying cause of autoimmune diseases is not fully known. Lupus is two to three times more prevalent among women of color—African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders—than among Caucasian women. Recent research indicates that lupus affects 1 in 537 young African American women. It is reported that African American lupus patients are more likely to have organ system involvement, more active disease, and lower levels of social support compared with white lupus patients.
Black Health Matters (BHM) contributor and lupus advocate, Gabrielle Davis will join Black Health Matters on-site at the Walk to End Lupus Now. Gabrielle Davis is a former news journalist, turned lupus/patient advocate who uses her candid experiences of living with lupus, chronic illness and an invisible disease to spread awareness, particularly among underserved populations and those who make decisions that directly impact underserved populations. Diagnosed in 2009 as a 26-year-old newlywed, Gabrielle began her social media presence under Lupus Sistas to connect, educate and support the lupus community. Since then she works to provide lupus education and awareness in her local community, legislatively and for the medical community.
BHM has reported on Davis and her outstanding work to educate about lupus and the imperative of clinical trial participation. See: http://www.blackheathmatters.com/summit/ and http://www.blackheathmatters.com/health-conditions-hub/lupus/lupus-is-an-urgent-matter/
Roslyn Daniels, president and founder of Black Health Matters will also attend the Walk to End Lupus Now.  Daniels states, “The goal is to report on the passion and spirit of lupus warriors as they press for a cure. We at Black Health Matters believe that advocacy and participation in clinical trials will lead to a cure.”
 Visit the Black Health Matters team in Victory Plaza, at the Atlanta Walk to End Lupus Now to increase awareness of lupus and rally public support for those who suffer from its brutal impact.
About Black Health Matters
Black Health Matters™, (www.blackheathmatters.com) is a digital health communications and patient event engagement firm that was founded in 2012.   Black Health Matters™ (BHM) is an award-winning, premier web site that empowers thousands each week with information on the management of chronic disease. We deliver a highly personalized content experience that makes healthy behaviors relevant within the context of their lives. Our Black Health Matters Summit which brings world-class medical doctors into communities to dialogue on health strategies.
About Gabrielle Davis
Gabrielle Davis advocacy work in raising awareness of lupus includes:
- Feature by the US Department and Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health to highlight Lupus.
- Board Member – Lupus Foundation of Florida
- WEGO Health Patient Expert
- 2016 WEGO Health Activist Hero Nominee
- 2017 Lupus Research Alliance Patient Advocate for Annual Advocacy and Hill Day in Washington D.C.
- Featured in a lupus awareness segment for Lifetime Television’s show “The Balancing Act” November 2017
- Education Session on Lupus for 2017 Black Nurses Rock Annual National Convention in Orlando, Fla.
