While overall lupus mortality has declined significantly over the past two decades, Black women continue to die from the disease at dramatically higher rates than other groups, according to new research examining death certificates from 1999 to 2020.
Black women experienced 17.68 deaths per million from systemic lupus erythematosus, nearly five times the rate of white women at 3.78 deaths per million. This disparity persists even as death rates have dropped across all demographic groups during the study period.
Researchers analyzed 27,213 lupus deaths nationwide and found the highest mortality concentrated in southern states, particularly Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. American Indian and Alaska Native populations also showed elevated rates at 4.09 deaths per million.
“Although overall trends are improving, equity remains a significant issue, particularly for African American women and patients in the south,” said Dr. Ansaam Daoud, the study’s lead author from Case Western Reserve University.
Interestingly, Hispanic patients showed a reversal in their mortality patterns, starting higher than non-Hispanic patients in 1999 but ending lower by 2020. Daoud attributed this to increased public health awareness and improved healthcare access in Hispanic communities.
The geographic concentration of deaths in southern states did not correlate with poor rheumatology care availability, suggesting complex, multifaceted causes behind these disparities. Researchers emphasize the urgent need for equity-driven interventions to address these persistent gaps in lupus outcomes.
See: “Lupus deaths remain high among Black patients despite overall decline since 1999” (March 03, 2025)
