A review of progress since the WHA resolution on psoriasis

26 June 2024

By IFPA

In 2014, efforts from the international patient community led to the adoption of a resolution on Psoriasis by the World Health Assembly (WHA 67.9), addressing the current major concerns and risk factors for people with psoriatic disease and encouraging further advocacy efforts by member states. The Resolution underscores that “too many people in the world suffer needlessly from psoriasis” and mandates the publication of a report on the public health impact of psoriasis. The following metrics were included in the 2014 WHA resolution:

  1. Recognizing the urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health, providing access to treatment and health care education
  2. Recognizing also that psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic, noncommunicable, painful, disfiguring, and disabling disease for which there is no cure
  3. Recognizing further that in addition to the pain, itching and bleeding caused by psoriasis, many affected individuals around the world experience social and work-related stigma and discrimination
  4. Underscoring that those with psoriasis are at an elevated risk for a number of co-morbid conditions, namely, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, Crohn disease, heart attack, ulcerative colitis, metabolic syndrome, stroke, and liver disease
  5. Also underscoring that up to 42% of those with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), which causes pain, stiffness and swelling at the joints and can lead to permanent disfigurement and disability
  6. Underscoring that too many people in the world suffer needlessly from psoriasis due to incorrect or delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment options and insufficient access to care
  7. Recognizing the advocacy efforts of stakeholders, in particular through activities held every year on 29 October in many countries, to raise awareness regarding the disease of psoriasis, including awareness of the stigmatization suffered by those with psoriasis

Ten years later, the psoriatic disease community unites to celebrate the achievements of the past ten years, and to set the agenda for the next decade. To that end, it is paramount to know what changed in the past ten years of efforts from diverse stakeholders in improving the lives of people living with psoriatic disease, and what instead did not change.

IFPA has therefore decided to produce a review of progress made across the globe since the resolution was published, based on the metrics contained within the resolution. The goal in conducting this review is not to attribute any progress made to the resolution itself, but rather to assess where efforts to improve care and awareness of psoriatic disease have been successful, and where there is still progress to be made.

A complete picture of progress and lack of progress

This report employs a combination of literature review, interviews, and surveys to collect data on the progress within each metric included in the WHA resolution on psoriasis. The data is summarized in the report, which details the knowledge, care, policies, and awareness of psoriatic disease since the resolution by region (as defined by the World Health Organization).

Some improvements, but a long way to go to reach health and wellbeing

The review shows that improvements were made in the past decade, especially when it comes to the availability of therapeutic options for people living with the disease, healthcare education, and general understanding of the disease by healthcare professionals (specialists).

However, there are still issues with lack of awareness regarding comorbidities, both in people living with psoriatic disease and their providers. Moreover, most people living with psoriatic disease still experience stigmatization. This in turn affects the mental health and quality of life of those with the disease and their loved ones.

Improvements are not made at the same speed in all regions of the world. Whereas high-income countries have moved forward, people with psoriatic disease in low- and middle- income countries have not benefited from the scientific and treatment advances of the past decade.

Read the review of progress since the WHA resolution on psoriasis

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