Lupus is an inflammatory autoimmune illness , where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks itself . Lupus can affect virtually any part of the body, although it most commonly affects the skin, joints and kidneys. The symptoms of lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (or SLE), can range from mild to life-threatening.
It can result in significant disability, economic burden and lower quality of life. Lupus most commonly affects women of childbearing age and is among the top ten causes of death for young women in the United States. Lupus is more common , and more severe, among people of certain ethnicities, including people of Asian and African ethnicity, as well as First Nations peoples in Australia and worldwide.
Health effects of colonisation Following colonisation in 1788, government policies have discriminated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This has created long-standing oppression and structural racism, which many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples still experience today. As a result, health outcomes are poorer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples compared to the general Australian population, with life expectancy eight years lower, on average.
Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples also experience significant socioeconomic disadvantage. Lupus is no exception Lupus is two to four times more common in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples compared to those who do not identify as Aborigina.