World Psoriasis Day, October 29th 2014

By Jane Farrell

World Psoriasis Day is an annual observance dedicated to people with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis. The theme for 2014 is “Building a better world for people with psoriasis.” Conceived by patients for patients, World Psoriasis Day is a global event that sets out to give an international voice to the more than125 million people with psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis around the world. Formed by a global consortium of patient associations from around the world, World Psoriasis Day aims to raise the profile of a condition that needs to be taken more seriously by national and international authorities.

Aims of World Psoriasis Day

• Raising awareness: to let people with psoriasis know that they are not alone and to raise the profile of this devastating skin disease and the misery it can cause. To dispel myths about the condition, such as the mistaken view that psoriasis is contagious.

• Improving access to treatment: to encourage healthcare systems, governments, physicians, caregivers and all those responsible for psoriasis care to allow psoriasis sufferers access to optimum therapy. For too long, psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis has been low priority. They are debilitating diseases and must move up the healthcare agenda.

• Increasing understanding: to provide information to those who are affected by the condition as well as the general public in order to educate people about the condition so that they can discuss it more openly and confidently.

• Building unity among the psoriasis community: to provide a platform from which patient voices from around the world can speak as one and be heard by key decision makers.

When was World Psoriasis Day founded?
For a number of years various patient groups discussed the idea of having an annual day specially dedicated to people with psoriasis. In 2004 members and non-members of psoriasis associations around the world launched World Psoriasis Day to raise awareness of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Who runs World Psoriasis Day?
The event is presented by the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA), an international organization whose membership is made up of psoriasis organizations from countries around the world. IFPA members meet regularly to collaborate and to discuss important issues affecting the world’s psoriasis community.