- This event has passed.
Psoriatic Arthritis: More than Just Sore Joints
October 17, 2022 @ 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm EDT
More than 8 million individuals in the United States have psoriasis. This chronic inflammatory skin disease is characterized by patches of red or discolored and irritated skin that are often covered by flaky white or gray scales, depending on the skin type. An estimated 10-30% of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA) – a type of inflammatory arthritis linked to psoriasis.
Approximately 40% of people with PsA report significant impacts on their everyday life, and despite PsA occurring equally in women and men, women often report experiencing more fatigue and functional limitations. Women are also less likely to respond to some treatments and achieve remission than men.
Patients are not often assessed for joint pain during psoriasis care visits, delaying a timely diagnosis by years, and potentially resulting in irreversible joint damage. Psoriasis (and subsequent PsA) is also under-diagnosed among African Americans and other individuals with skin of color due to differences in clinical presentation.
SWHR is hosting a series of webinars to share educational information about the impact of psoriatic arthritis on women’s health. The events will discuss how to improve health outcomes through recognizing and addressing symptoms, comorbidities, treatment options, and barriers to accessing quality care, while highlighting the diverse experiences of women across the lifespan.
The SWHR Psoriatic Arthritis series includes:
- Psoriatic Arthritis: More than Just Sore Joints (October 17, 2022)
- Psoriatic Arthritis: A Woman’s Toolkit to Soar Above the Pain (November 16, 2022)
Follow the conversation on Twitter at @SWHR and #SWHRtalksSkin.
This event is free and open to the public.
Goals:
- Discuss the impacts of psoriatic arthritis on women’s health, including disparities and stigma
- Highlight the diversity of experiences for women living with psoriatic arthritis
- Emphasize ways to empower women and improve their quality of care and general wellbeing
Panelists
Elizabeth Medeiros
Elizabeth Medeiros
Elizabeth Medeiros is a young adult who has dealt with juvenile-onset psoriatic arthritis since she was a small child, in addition to other chronic conditions. She studied for her undergrad in design in Boston. She has kept a blog, The Girl with Arthritis, since age 14 about how she’s coped with chronic pain from such a young age. She also is a contributor for HealthUnion, and previously was a columnist with Bio News Science. Elizabeth hopes to inspire those living with psoriatic arthritis and juvenile arthritis by sharing her story and offering practical tips on coping, emotional wellness, and advocating. Elizabeth enjoys crocheting, making art, traveling, and cooking when she isn’t writing. You can learn more about her by following her on Instagram @GirlWithArthritis.
Leah M. Howard, JD
Leah M. Howard, JD
Leah McCormick Howard, J.D., joined the National Psoriasis Foundation in 2012. Howard was appointed to the role of President and CEO, effective June 8, 2022 after stepping into the Interim President and CEO role on January 1, 2022. She previously served as NPF Chief Operating Officer (2017 – 2021) providing the strategic direction, vision and leadership to Foundation mission-related functions of government relations and advocacy, marketing and communications, and patient services (education, volunteer outreach and the NPF Patient Navigation Center). Prior to this role, Howard directed the Advocacy and Government Relations department (2012 – 2017). Howard has led a number of major initiatives for the NPF including development of the current (FY2020-2024) Strategic Plan, leading the planning for the 2016 FDA Patient Focused Drug Development (PFDD) meeting, engagement with value assessors, and the NPF annual payer roundtable series. She brings to her role more than 20 years of experience working with national health and disability organizations, local governments, and leading health care and research institutions. Howard has a bachelor of arts degree in government and international relations from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from George Mason University School of Law. She is based out of the NPF office in Alexandria, VA.
Sponsor
SWHR’s Psoriatic Arthritis Program is supported by an educational sponsorship from Eli Lilly & Company. SWHR maintains editorial control and independence over educational content.
