Business Group on Health - Autoimmune Disease: An Outsized Impact on Women

Autoimmune Disease: An Outsized Impact on Women

05/06/24 • 27 min

It has been estimated that anywhere between 24 to 50 million Americans, the majority of whom are women, are affected by autoimmune diseases, with onset often occurring during their prime working years.

Tune in to this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast to hear from Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz, a double-board certified rheumatologist and patient advocate. Dr. Ortiz shares the biggest challenges facing those with autoimmune diseases, research on why these conditions more often affect women, and how employers can support patients through health and well-being benefit programs.

Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz | Rheumatologist l Founder, Connected Rheumatology

Previous Episode

Pediatric Obesity: Expediting Access to a Full Spectrum of Care

In response to the increased prevalence of pediatric obesity, the American Academy of Pediatrics published new comprehensive Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity in 2023. In addition to urging pediatricians to more quickly offer treatment, the guideline identifies the secondary medical complications associated with obesity that children are experiencing, including hypertension, fatty liver disease, diabetes and arthritis.

In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, Dr. Ilene Fennoy, a pediatric endocrinologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center / New York-Presbyterian, explains the guidance, offers recommended treatment options and shares strategies for communicating care needs to parents, teens and young children.

Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Abett.

More Information: CDC Recognized Family Healthy Weight Programs:
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/strategies/family-healthy-weight-programs.html

Guest: Ilene Fennoy, MD | Pediatric Endocrinologist l Columbia University Irving Medical Center / New York-Presbyterian

Next Episode

Mindful of Motherhood: Prioritizing Maternal Mental Health

A February 2024 research review in JAMA Psychiatry identified perinatal mental health and substance use disorders, namely suicide and opioid overdoses, as the cause of nearly one in four maternal deaths.

Reproductive psychiatrist, Dr. Emily Dossett, and executive director of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, Joy Burkhard, join this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast to broaden our understanding of this stunning, yet largely unrecognized, relationship. We also learn about other maternal mental health challenges, the impact social determinants of health have on perinatal mental health, and how employers can help support mothers and their families.

More Information:
Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Reports and Fact Sheets:
https://www.2020mom.org/reports

JAMA Psychiatry Research Review:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2814936

Health Affairs Article on Perinatal Mental Health:
https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.01455

Guests: Dr. Emily Dossett | Reproductive Psychiatrist; Founder & Director, Reproductive Mental Health Program at the LA General Medical Center
Joy Burkhard | Executive Director, Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health