Lupus Education Alliance Program (LEAP)

People living with an autoimmune disease, including those with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), have been especially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this research project was to identify barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 testing and vaccination among people living with SLE using both qualitative and quantitative methods. This study also evaluated the efficacy of a novel peer-led intervention to enhancing these behaviors among people living with SLE and others in their household/social network using a randomized controlled trial design. The aims of this project were achieved by leveraging an existing patient roster of over 2500 people living with SLE in Birmingham, Alabama. This study also recruited people living with SLE in New Orleans, Louisiana. This research has broader implications for testing/vaccination in clinical populations.