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March is Autoimmune Awareness Month, and with an estimated 50 million people in the U.S. affected by autoimmune disease—and numbers continuing to increase—raising awareness is more critical than ever
From encouraging research advancements to improving diagnosis and treatment, awareness plays a vital role in creating a better future for those living with autoimmune diseases. That is why the Autoimmune Association provides patients and advocates with the tools and resources they need to be part of the driving force in the fight against autoimmune disease.
What is an autoimmune disease?
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, causing inflammation and damage. More than 100 different autoimmune diseases have been identified, ranging from well-known conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis to rare diseases such as myositis and antiphospholipid syndrome.
One of the biggest challenges in autoimmune disease research is the complexity and variability of these conditions. Each autoimmune disease is unique, and patients may experience different symptoms and responses to treatment. This variability makes clinical trials and development of new treatments difficult.
As a result of this variability, diagnosis has historically proven challenging, with symptoms often mimicking other conditions. Not only that, the actual symptoms of any given autoimmune diseases can vary widely and depend on the specific condition and affected organs.
Yet, there are some commonalities in autoimmune symptoms overall, such as fatigue, joint pain and swelling, brain fog, fever, and muscle weakness. But these symptoms often fluctuate over time, making diagnosis particularly challenging. Researchers are continually developing new diagnostic tools, including blood tests that detect autoantibodies (antibodies that mistakenly target the body’s own tissues).
There is currently no cure for any of the autoimmune diseases, but advances in genetics and molecular biology are providing a deeper understanding of the causes and mechanisms of these diseases, leading to the development of innovative treatment options. Scientists are offering new hope for patients by actively exploring therapies such as gene editing, immunotherapies, and stem cell treatments. Personalized medicine is emerging as a promising approach, allowing doctors to tailor treatments to individual patients based on their disease subtype and specific needs.
Today, however, many treatments focus on managing symptoms and slowing disease progression. Common treatment approaches include immunosuppressive medications, corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Additionally, lifestyle modifications—such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress reduction—can help patients manage their symptoms more effectively.
To these points, raising awareness for autoimmune diseases has proven to have a profound impact on both research efforts and medical practices.
The impact of raising awareness
Increased public interest, as a result of awareness campaigns, has helped encourage researchers to focus on innovative treatments and has attracted funding to support vital studies. It also fosters collaboration among scientists, leading to groundbreaking discoveries.
Another major goal of awareness initiatives is to help doctors recognize and diagnose autoimmune diseases more accurately and ultimately improve patient care. As a result, medical professionals are now receiving more training to recognize autoimmune disease symptoms earlier, reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Awareness also helps reduce the stigma surrounding autoimmune diseases. Many individuals living with these conditions experience feelings of isolation and misunderstanding, which can lead to emotional distress. By fostering a more informed and supportive community, we can create an environment where those affected feel seen, heard, and valued.
Fortunately, as a result of past and ongoing awareness efforts, the future of autoimmune disease research looks promising. There are a number of efforts being made to improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosis, and the continued investment in genetics, molecular biology, and personalized medicine is paving the way for more effective treatments and diagnostic tools.
While much remains to be discovered, these advancements bring hope to millions of patients worldwide.
Breaking down barriers to patient access
When a patient is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, access to effective care and treatment is paramount.
As such, the Autoimmune Association supports policy reforms that improve access to care that our patients vitally need. This includes Prior authorization and Step Therapy reform, establishing clear and transparent processes and timelines for healthcare insurers to determine if they cover the cost of prescribed treatments, and ensuring that patients who are successfully using a treatment do not have to switch.
Prior authorization is a process used by healthcare insurers or managed care organizations to determine if they will cover the cost of a prescribed medication or medical service. Healthcare providers must obtain approval from the insurer before the medication or service can be covered. This process typically involves submitting documentation to demonstrate the medical necessity of the treatment.
Step therapy is an insurance company tactic that often requires patients to “fail first” on one or more drugs before getting the medicine that doctors originally prescribed. When a physician prescribes a particular drug treatment for a patient, the patient’s insurance company may require them to try different medications and treatments before they can access the drug originally prescribed by their physician.
Step therapy protocols may ignore a patient’s unique circumstances and medical history. That means patients may have to use medications that previously failed to address their medical issue, or—due to their unique medical conditions—could have dangerous side effects.
While step therapy can be an important tool to help contain the costs of prescription drugs, in some circumstances, it has negative impacts on patients. Step therapy policies can lead to delayed access to the most effective treatment, severe side effects, and irreversible disease progression
Prior Authorization and Step Therapy are just some of the many barriers to access patients with autoimmune diseases face. Raising awareness for these challenges, how they impact patients and their families, and how patients can be successful in navigating these challenges are key.
How You Can Make a Difference
Autoimmune Awareness Month is an opportunity for everyone to take part in spreading knowledge and support—even small actions can make a big impact.
For instance, you can share your story with your network. You can use our awareness toolkit when sharing information on social media, having conversations with friends and family, or organizing fundraisers. Engaging with organizations like the Autoimmune Association by following and sharing our content amplifies awareness and drives meaningful change.
Together, we can advance research, improve diagnosis and treatment, and bring hope to those living with autoimmune diseases—not just in March, but every day of the year.
