A Black Doctor Shares Why Lupus Trials Need REAL Representation

Photo: Dr. Jessica Williams Dr. Jessica Williams, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine and Medical Advisor for Lupus Therapeutics (the research arm for the Lupus Research Alliance) has been deeply engaged in advancing lupus research, especially focusing on overcoming racial disparities in clinical trials. With lupus affecting primarily women and disproportionately impacting racial and ethnic minority groups, Dr. Williams’ work is crucial to developing a more inclusive, representative, and effective healthcare response to this chronic illness.  BlackDoctor.org spoke with Dr. Williams to learn more about her work, the challenges of improving clinical trial diversity, and the importance of initiatives like the PALS (Patient Advocates for Lupus Studies) program in bridging the gap in representation for people of color in lupus research. Barriers to Diagnosis Lupus can affect multiple parts of the body, leading to a broad spectrum of symptoms.  “Lupus is a chronic condition, manageable but without a cure, so it often requires ongoing care and multiple medications. Patients may need to see several specialists—rheumatologists, nephrologists, dermatologists, and sometimes cardiologists—depending on how lupus affects their body, which can be challenging to coordinate,” Dr. Williams notes.  Additionally, the condition can also vary greatly,...