Advancing the health care of everyone with psoriatic disease.
As Black History Month closes, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) wishes to publicly restate our relentless commitment to supporting all the different cultures and backgrounds that comprise our welcoming community. Addressing health disparities and taking meaningful steps toward health equity are promises we work toward keeping all 12 months of the year.
Psoriatic disease affects more than 8 million people in this country and more than 125 million worldwide. Each of those people – no matter their race, heritage, or country of origin – deserves a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), just as they each deserve equitable support through advocacy, education, research, and treatment.
In recognition of our proven expertise this field, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded a substantial grant to NPF to address the public health issue that psoriatic disease represents. In particular, NPF’s efforts under this grant help to educate and support traditionally underserved populations like people of color and rural communities. “Psoriasis and PsA are chronic, systemic diseases that can impact anyone of any race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and physical or cognitive ability,” says George Gondo, Director of Patient Centered Research for NPF. “Our work under our CDC grant for the last several years has helped NPF reach and better serve those who have traditionally not had their needs met in an equitable way.”
One facet of this CDC grant related work was the development of a Psoriasis Health Indicator Report to be published in March 2024. To develop this thorough look at the impacts of psoriatic disease in the U.S., NPF assembled the best minds and leaders in the field to create a compendium of data that clearly lays out the case for the additional education, advocacy, and research needed to address critical gaps in care and support for people living with psoriatic disease. NPF is uniquely positioned to continue progressing in these key areas in order to create a more equitable health care system for our community and others.
“The Psoriasis Health Indicator Report is a major undertaking for our organization. It makes it quite clear that there is still a great deal of advocacy and education work needed to reduce the prevalent social stigma around psoriatic disease while educating decision makers and health care providers about latest advances in treatment and care,” says Leah M. Howard, J.D., President and CEO of NPF.
“NPF has a very successful history advocating at the state and federal level to drive meaningful action that betters the lives of people living with chronic diseases like psoriasis and PsA,” says Guy Eakin, Ph.D., Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of NPF. “It is our duty to be sure our staff and volunteer leaders are focused on the impact of health disparities in all NPF programs. Without this attention, we will not recognize the vision of a cure for all in our community.”
At NPF, we envision a world free from the burdens of psoriasis and PsA – a world in which all people have the equitable care and support they need to thrive despite this disease. A cure for all is possible, and until that day, we remain committed to acting in the best interests of all the people in our inclusive community.