The physical, emotional and financial cost of autoimmune diseases is huge. Most of those affected are women. While people of all ages are affected, women who are old enough to have children are especially at risk.

Some autoimmune diseases like lupus and scleroderma are more common among African-Americans. Diseases like multiple sclerosis and type one diabetes are more common among whites. Doctors do not yet know why this is true.

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BARBARA KLEIN: New drugs are being tested to help treat autoimmune diseases. Some drugs can be a problem because they suppress the immune system. This means the body is less able to defend itself against infections.

Newer drugs attempt to suppress only one small part of the immune system, not all of it. For example, drugs like Enbrel and Remicade block tumor necrosis factor. This is a protein that causes inflammation, a physical reaction to infection, injury or other causes. These drugs have been useful in treating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn’s disease. However, the drugs are costly. And, some have been found to increase the risk of cancer.

BOB DOUGHTY: Scientists continue searching for other methods of treatment. For example, some scientists hope to use stem cells to replace tissues damaged by disease. Stem cells have the ability to grow other cells, such as heart, nerve or brain cells.

Medical experts also are working together to improve the way autoimmune diseases are identified and treated. Less than ten years ago, the Johns Hopkins Autoimmune Disease Research Center was established in Maryland. The center seeks to bring together experts to improve the study of autoimmune diseases.