Among the general population social stigmatizing beliefs about individuals with psoriasis are widespread.

In particular, the general population report a desire to avoid individuals with psoriasis in social situations. This desire to avoid individuals with psoriasis in social situations is higher than what is perceived by individuals with psoriasis.

Among the general population (without psoriasis):

• 54.0% would be uncomfortable dating a person with psoriasis
• 39.4% would be uncomfortable shaking hands with a person with psoriasis
• 32.3% would be uncomfortable having a person with psoriasis in their home
• 31.8% would be uncomfortable sharing a meal with a person with psoriasis
• 31.8% would be uncomfortable sharing a car pool with a person with psoriasis
• 25.8% would be uncomfortable being friends with someone with psoriasis

Among individuals with psoriasis:

• 17.9% feel that individuals without psoriasis would be uncomfortable dating someone with psoriasis
• 16.0% feel that individuals without psoriasis would be uncomfortable shaking hands with someone with psoriasis
• 10.4% feel that individuals without psoriasis would be uncomfortable having someone with psoriasis in their home
• 11.3% feel that individuals without psoriasis would be uncomfortable sharing a meal with someone with psoriasis
• 2.8% feel that individuals without psoriasis would be uncomfortable sharing a carpool with someone with psoriasis
• 6.6% feel that individuals without psoriasis would be uncomfortable being friends with someone with psoriasis

References for all statistics are in the downloadable Psoriasis Health Indicator Report.

This program is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $351,404, with 2 percentage funded by CDC/HHS and $14.3 million amount and 98 percentage funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.