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: autoimmune diseases. Tribal communities, particularly in Oklahoma—home to the second-largest Native population in the U.S.—experience some of the highest rates of conditions like lupus, Sjögren’s disease, and scleroderma. This day, dedicated to honoring Native culture and heritage, also offers an opportunity to raise awareness about these silent but impactful diseases. Autoimmune conditions often go undiagnosed, especially in underserved communities, making education and advocacy vital to ensuring individuals receive the care and support they need. By raising awareness of autoimmunity during Native American Day, we are not only celebrating the strength of Native peoples but also empowering them with the tools to advocate for their health.

Oklahoma, home to 39 federally recognized tribes, has the second largest population of Native Americans in the U.S. second only to Alaska. For the 30,000+ Native people in Northern Oklahoma, the incidence and prevalence of lupus and Sjögren’s disease is statistically higher. While regionally prevalent, scleroderma disproportionally affects the Choctaw Tribe for reasons not yet understood.  For many individuals, understanding what autoimmune diseases are and their symptoms helps them advocate for themselves with their healthcare providers and, also raises overall awareness of autoimmunity.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s defense system cannot tell the difference between foreign cells and its own cells, causing the body to attack itself. Approximately 80% of autoimmune disease patients are women, however, men get them them as well. Recent research in antinuclear antibodies – an indicator of the presence of autoimmune disease – indicates that autoimmunity is on the rise among children and teens, with a 300% increase in just 30 years.

Researchers suspect environmental impacts exacerbated by climate change, but there is much yet to be discovered and learned about the causes of autoimmune disease. Currently there are no cures and they can strike at any age. The association’s goal is to empower everyone with the knowledge of what to look for, and where to go, during every stage of the autoimmune journey.

Raveen Jeffers, who is an autoimmune patient and is of Chickasaw/Choctaw and Freedmen ancestry, approached the Autoimmune Association with a desire to host an Autoimmune Awareness event during the annual Native American Day event in Tulsa’s Dream Keeper Park on October 14. This event attracts hundreds of Tulsans both Native and Non-Native, and is designed to showcase Native peoples, culture, and heritage. It’s also the perfect location to educate on the prevalence of autoimmune disease within the tribal communities.

Raveen’s journey to diagnosis was impaired by a lack of information and understanding of what autoimmunity was, and her personal increased risk of having Native ancestry.

“I didn’t know anything about autoimmune disease when I first started showing symptoms,” says Raveen. “Once I understood what was happening, I wanted to share that information with others because information is key. And having that understanding really helps when communicating with a health care provider.”

The Autoimmune Association, in partnership with the Tulsa Indian Club, hosted a booth that highlighted all autoimmune diseases but specifically those that disproportionately impact the local communities. General resources and an overview of all autoimmune diseases were also available to further raise awareness.

The Autoimmune Association is committed to bring awareness to all autoimmune disease patients, particularly those in lesser served communities. Many diseases are underdiagnosed and poorly understood, and empowering all patients to have access to information to help understand the symptoms will assist patients better inform their health care providers. Self-advocacy is critical and knowing what to ask will help aid the process.

Engaging with local partners is critical to the overall success, as the trusted messenger is one who reflects the community. Raveen’s commitment to sharing information with her fellow Tulsans reflects the Association’s commitment, and we are proud to serve as a champion for all.