As THE authoritative voice for people with lupus, the Lupus Foundation of America is continually expanding its education and support services, both nationally and locally, to ensure that people affected by lupus, and their health care providers have access to the most innovative and medically sound materials, programs, and tools.
We work to ensure that all people affected by lupus have access to the services and information they need to manage, cope, and live well with lupus.
In 2011, we:
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Provided education, support, and referrals to approximately 200,000 individuals through outreach and education efforts, including sponsoring more than 200 support groups, and conducting more than 400 patient education programs.
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Launched the national education program, Lupus: Learn from the Experts™, as a series of telephone conferences hosted by leading lupus experts that cover topics of interest to people at different points in living and coping with lupus. The 2011 series addressed the following topics: clinical trials, kidney disease, central nervous system involvement, social security and disability insurance, and parents caring for children with lupus.
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Distributed 135,000 copies of our award-winning magazine LUPUS NOW® to individuals with lupus and their families, policy makers, and health professionals. LUPUS NOW contains the latest information on clinical research and coping strategies.
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Developed new educational materials and expanded content on the Lupus Foundation of America's Web site on the following topics: children and teens, men, pregnancy, and depression.
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Developed a Web-based continuing education program in partnership with Rn.com and RxSchool.com targeted to nurses, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians to make health professionals more aware of lupus, so it is recognized and treated earlier. Since the launch, more than 3,000 health professionals have taken and received credit for the course.
