African American Women with Lupus Report Improvements with Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
According to a new study, African American women with lupus reported improved exercise, diet, relaxation and medication adherence after participating in the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP). The majority of the women told researchers they found the program to be a valuable resource, with relaxation and exercise cited as the two most widely perceived benefits. Goal setting, action planning, low-impact physical activity, and mindfulness techniques were found to be particularly effective strategies. Twenty-four women were recruited from the Women Empowered to Live with Lupus (WELL) study to participate in the program and share their experiences.
The CDSMP is a well-established, widely shared self-management educational program with the potential to reach large African American female populations with lupus. Additionally, the findings suggest that the program can potentially promote healthy behavior change regardless of age, education, or disease characteristics.
Self-management practices are critically important to control lupus symptoms, promote good health and improve disease outcomes, yet African Americans face significant barriers to accessing self-management education. Learn more about what the Lupus Foundation of America is doing to develop online self-care management programs to empower people with lupus and further address health disparities among people living with the disease.