A new national study reveals that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disproportionately affects non-Hispanic Black adults in the United States. Using data from 2017 to 2021, researchers found that Black adults had more than twice the odds of having SLE compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Hispanic adults also showed elevated odds, though the difference was less pronounced.
The study examined how social determinants of health (SDOH)—including income, insurance, psychological distress, and neighborhood conditions—correlate with SLE prevalence. Adults with Medicaid had significantly higher odds of SLE than those with private insurance. Those experiencing psychological distress or living in the Northeast also faced increased risk.
Importantly, the report found that individuals with very high SDOH burden—defined as having eight or more unfavorable social factors—had more than triple the prevalence of SLE compared to those with low burden. Yet despite these findings, the report does not break out treatment rates or disease severity by race or ethnicity. This omission limits understanding of how systemic barriers affect disease management and outcomes in minority communities.
“Non-Hispanic Black adults had higher odds of SLE,” the authors note, emphasizing that race, poverty, and insurance status are key drivers. Without detailed racial and ethnic breakdowns of treatment access and outcomes, policymakers and providers lack the data needed to address disparities effectively.
See: “Association between social determinants of health and systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationally representative analysis of 2017–2021 data” (August 8, 2025)
