Search Autoimmune Association
Share this article

Opinion | Autoimmunity Has Reached Epidemic Levels. We Need Urgent Action to Address It

Frederick W Miller MD PhD
Frederick W. Miller, MD, PhD
Olivia Casey
Olivia Casey
Autoimmunity is on the rise worldwide, increasing by 3 to 12% each year. In the U.S., antinuclear antibodies, which could indicate autoimmune disease, have spiked by almost 50% in under 30 years. To tackle this growing issue, Olivia Casey, senior director of programs at the Autoimmune Association, and Frederick W. Miller, MD, PhD, formerly of the National Institutes of Health, are advocating for standardized terminology, a national data registry, and a comprehensive strategy to address this epidemic.

In a recent opinion piece in Scientific American, Casey and Miller explicate the scope of autoimmunity and lay out the three-pronged approach.

“The global autoimmune epidemic has received too little attention and resources for too long. What information we have indicates the cost of managing this epidemic is increasing dramatically. The price of inaction will be profound, both in terms of human suffering and health care expenditures. It’s still possible to shape a future where autoimmune diseases decrease or even become a thing of the past. But to do so, we must act now, urgently and decisively,” the piece concludes.

Read the article

Share this article

Join our email list

Receive the latest blog articles, news, and more right to your inbox!

Related articles you might be interested in

Autoimmune Association Image Do Not Touch

Raising Hope: Pancakes for the Autoimmune Disease

Priya Patil was in college when she began experiencing severe physical health issues, primarily affecting her gastrointestinal system. The symptoms left her exhausted...
Autoimmune Association Image Do Not Touch

Autoimmune Association Continues to Advocate to Protect Copay Assistance and Essential Health Benefits

The Autoimmune Association has shared comments with the office of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the 2026 Notice of Benefit and Payment...
Autoimmune Association Image Do Not Touch

Autoimmune Association and Patient Advocacy Organizations Host Dr. Vicky Shanmugam, Director of the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research

The Autoimmune Association, along with partners in the autoimmune patient advocacy community, presented a luncheon last week in Washington, D.C. featuring Victoria Shanmugam,...
Autoimmune Association Image Do Not Touch

Raising Autoimmune Awareness in Tribal Communities

  As we recognized Indigenous Peoples Day yesterday, it’s essential to shine a light on an urgent health concern disproportionately affecting Native communities:...

Find more resources on autoimmunity

Learn more about autoimmunity, diagnosis tips, how to find a physician, and more.