FY15 National Health Education Program on Lupus

The purpose of the NHEPL is to reduce lupus related health disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations disproportionately affected by this disease by conducting a national lupus education initiative that includes the general public, health professionals and student trainees in targeted communities, schools and health care systems and practices. Three to five grantees will be funded to conduct this national initiative. These grantees will be responsible for conducting at least two of the following three priority activities: A. Conduct provider training to include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals to engage them to improve lupus diagnosis and treatment through education, appropriate linkages to care, disease management, and enrollment in health coverage. B. Implement a lupus program through a comprehensive community level education effort that will serve persons living with lupus and their family members. The program will include: community outreach to improve awareness and understanding oflupus and management of primary and secondary conditions; access to care and coverage to increase the number of persons linked to health care services and enrolled in health coverage; and communication strategies such as electronic media and patient/provider software application development to improve disease management and outcomes and patient/provider communication. C. Develop and maintain patient and family care networks to identify strategies that address the emotional and social support needs of individuals diagnosed with lupus and their families and improve care coordination across the health care delivery system.