Though there are clear genetic reasons for the increased prevalence of lupus in African Americans compared to Whites [2, 27] as well as for progression of renal disease (i.e., apolipoprotein A1), socioeconomic factors are tightly entwined with race, making it difficult to determine causation of the increased morbidity and mortality in African Americans with lupus. The gene discussed is APOA1; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.