Help make a difference in the lives of those with autoimmune disease.
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own healthy cells. There are over 80 known autoimmune diseases and counting, affecting more than 14 million Americans.
DISEASE SUPPORT
Autoimmune Organizations
Find national and international organizations focused on specific autoimmune diseases, from alopecia areata to vitiligo.
Information, health-related articles, and resources to help you navigate living well with autoimmune disease.
TIPS FOR STAYING WELL
Managing Mental Health with Autoimmune Disease
Living with chronic illness takes a toll emotionally and socially. How can we take care of our mental health?
Browse our resource lists and information via the links below.
SPECIALIZED CARE
Find Medical Institutions Focused on Your Autoimmune Disease
An extensive list of centers, clinics, and hospitals across the United States that specialize in diagnosing and treating various autoimmune diseases.
We support autoimmune disease education and research by funding grants for scientific investigations, holding live talks with experts, and partnering with the Celiac Disease Program to create educational resources.
HIGHLIGHTED PARTNERSHIP
Comprehensive Educational Resources for Those Living with Celiac Disease
Our celiac-focused resources are a product of GAI’s partnership with the Celiac Disease Program at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. Visit our Celiac Education page to find information on Gluten Free Education Day, expert celiac talks, podcasts, a gluten-free diet app, and cooking and nutrition videos.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join Us for Our Next Autoimmune Support Group, July 31st, 10-11:30am PT
Our aim is to help each other live well and feel heard, while not letting disease define us. We encourage members to come as they are, with an open mind and the willingness to nurture a positive atmosphere.
The Global Autoimmune Institute is empowering solutions in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune disease (AD) through research, education, and community, while supporting multidisciplinary approaches to wellness.
SPREADING AWARENESS
GAI Featured in Nature Outlook, July Issue
Learn more about the Global Autoimmune Institute as we explain our work, autoimmune risk factors, and research advances in our Nature sponsor feature!
Home » About Us » What We Do
The Global Autoimmune Institute is empowering solutions in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune disease (AD) through research, education, and community, while supporting multidisciplinary approaches to wellness. Through our initiatives, we create collaborative partnerships and compassionately raise awareness to empower patients and improve physician/patient relationships.
Scientific Investigations
We are increasing knowledge and progress in AD through the funding of scientific investigations. We are a moving force in propelling collaboration and awareness in science and medicine.
Real Data
We are focused on funding informatics studies to answer fundamental questions, such as how many people live with AD, what ADs are seen together, and which symptoms point to AD. Information on some ADs is much less available than others – we are on our way to help change that.
Trusted Source of Information
Our website provides access to well-researched and thoughtful articles on the science of disease and daily management of health conditions, while also highlighting important discoveries in AD research. We strive to provide the most thorough, accurate information available about nutrition, therapies, the human microbiome, specific autoimmune disorders, and environmental health as it develops. We also host informative expert talks and “Autoimmune Chats” with medical professionals and specific disease organizations.
Resources
We are compiling ongoing lists of resources for individuals living with autoimmune disease and other chronic illnesses. Our Autoimmune Organizations page lists specific disease organizations as well as groups focused on holistic approaches to health. On our Medical Institutions page, we’ve gathered together a long list of hospitals, medical centers, and clinics across the U.S. that specialize in various ADs. Our resources also include lists of books, apps, podcasts, and other tools to help manage life with a chronic illness.
Focus on Celiac Disease
The Global Autoimmune Institute is continuing our work in partnership with the Celiac Program at Children’s National Hospital (CNH) in Washington, D.C., which began in 2015.
Our support includes making possible the establishment of a Multidisciplinary Celiac Disease Clinic for celiac disease patients, the most comprehensive approach ever developed before. This serves as a national standard of the highest care for celiac disease patients and is becoming a referral clinic.
We co-produce podcasts, cooking videos, expert talks on celiac disease, and programs in celiac disease and associated ADs and neurological disorders.
We partner to hold an annual Gluten Free Education Day and Expo in the D.C. Metropolitan area. This event has proved wildly popular, and is spearheaded by the very talented Executive Director of the Celiac Program at CNH, Vanessa Weisbrod.
Events
In the near future, we plan to hold a symposium in Washington, D.C., bringing together expert physicians and scientists in autoimmune neurological disorders. Stay tuned for details!
Support Group
Our Autoimmune Aware Support Group provides those who live with chronic conditions – often mysterious or undiagnosed – a safe space for emotional support and guidance, assisting in their journey to better health. We organize monthly, virtual meetings open to anyone, anywhere! We are also developing a national model so that others may develop their own groups.
Social Media
We are bringing people together through our active and informative Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter platforms. Frequent educational and compassionate posts help raise awareness of autoimmune disease and related conditions, as well as inform and connect individuals and organizations across the globe.
