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More than Skin Deep: Understanding the Impact of Autoimmune Skin Diseases on Women’s Health
October 18, 2021 @ 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm EDT
Autoimmune conditions cause a person’s immune system to attack the body’s own tissues and organs, including the skin. Because the skin is so visible and important to the body’s physiological function, skin diseases can impact a person’s physical and mental wellbeing and carry a large public health burden, despite their relative understudy.
Atopic dermatitis (a common type of eczema) is characterized by itchy, dry, flakey, and irritated skin, and can affect women differently over the lifespan. In the United States, an estimated 16.5 million people are affected with atopic dermatitis. 700,000 people have been diagnosed with alopecia areata, which causes hair loss primarily in small round patches on the scalp, but can also affect eyebrows, eyelashes, and other hair-bearing areas of the body. Up to 30% of ~8 million individuals with psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis. This immune-mediated condition has inflammatory affects on the skin, joints, and tendons. These are just three autoimmune and immune-mediated skin diseases that affect women disproportionately and differently than men.
On October 18, 2021, SWHR hosted a virtual public forum where panelists discussed the health, social, and economic impacts of autoimmune skin diseases on women – as patients, as caregivers, and as both.
PANELISTS
Kelly Barta
Kelly Barta
Kelly is a lifelong eczema patient who, after experiencing a health crisis due to an adverse response to medication, was propelled into the world of advocacy. Her advocacy efforts have led her to serve on several dermatology nonprofits, bringing awareness to the great needs of this community in both academic and political arenas.
Kelly currently works with Allergy & Asthma Network overseeing legislative priorities on the state level and managing special projects, especially those related to atopic dermatitis.
In addition to her work with the Network, Kelly serves as president of the Coalition of Skin Diseases, an umbrella organization comprised of more than 20 national skin-related nonprofits, which exists to raise awareness of skin diseases and advocate for the 84+ million Americans living with skin conditions. Kelly works from Atlanta, where she enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially in the outdoors.
Leslie Stein Lloyd, JD, CAE, IOM
Leslie Stein Lloyd, JD, CAE, IOM
Ms. Stein Lloyd is the Director for Public Policy and Healthcare Economics at the American Academy of Dermatology Association. She leads their socioeconomic, health policy, regulatory policy and private payer advocacy. As a member of the leadership team, Ms. Stein Lloyd partners with an engaged physician leadership to plan and implement a large portfolio of proactive and reactive strategies in a dynamic health care reform environment. Her extensive advocacy experience includes relationship building with key officials at federal agencies and private payers, coalition building, collaboration with congressional affairs, grassroots, and state advocacy, advocacy prioritization processes, strategic planning, advocacy communications and member engagement.
Ms. Stein Lloyd earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives and the Certificate in Nonprofit Organizational Management from the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation Institute of Organizational Management. She is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law and Brandeis University.
Arash Mostaghimi, MD, MPA, MPH
Arash Mostaghimi, MD, MPA, MPH
Dr. Mostaghimi is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Director of the Dermatology Inpatient Service, and Co-Director of the Complex Medical Dermatology Fellowship at Brigham & Women’s Hospital.
Board-certified in Dermatology, Internal Medicine, and Clinical Informatics, Dr. Mostaghimi is a practicing physician specializing in the dermatologic care of inpatients and outpatients with complex dermatology disorders. His research centers on understanding variations in dermatologic care and improving care delivery to optimize resource utilization, encourage patient autonomy, and reduce disparities.
As the father of a daughter with alopecia areata, Dr. Mostaghimi is dedicated to clinical research focused on understanding the epidemiology, patient experience, and health system impact of this disease. He has developed multiple outcome measures used in alopecia areata studies, and is actively involved in translational research and clinical trials to develop novel therapeutics for patients with hair loss.
In addition to his research, Dr. Mostaghimi is a leader in dermatology education and has received multiple awards in recognition of his teaching and mentorship. With Dr. Kristina Liu, he co-hosts the podcast “Topical,” which is focused on providing trainees with a behind-the-scenes perspective on the careers of dermatologists.
Dr. Mostaghimi earned his medical degree and Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Kennedy School in 2007. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and Dermatology in the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Combined Program, where he also served as Chief Medical Resident. In 2013, he joined the Department of Dermatology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He also received a Master’s in Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 2015. He is an advisor to multiple pharmaceuticals and startups with an emphasis on drug and device development, the financial and regulatory landscape of dermatology, artificial intelligence, and direct-to-consumer care.
SPONSOR
