GHP December

ghp December 2016 | 31 “To design effective social and economic policies, policymakers need a measure of individuals’ well- being and need to use the results to unearth different and more powerful ways to help people.” Psoriasis campaigner, Holly Dillon, said, “it is so important to highlight and address that living with psoriasis is not just a skin condition. It is a condition that also has a huge effect on your mental and psychical health, and this is often overlooked. By gathering and monitoring individuals with psoriasis through the Pso Happy App we can finally address and have proof of how psoriasis affects individuals beyond the visible impact on the skin. “This data will allow those living with psoriasis to feel in control and be aware of how the condition affects them, ensuring that they get the correct help in order to live well with psoriasis. Living with psoriasis should not mean that we should settle at being 24 per cent less happy than others. We need to recognise these stats and put psoriasis on the health agenda to ensure everyone is having the best quality of life. Dr Oleg Chestnov, Assistant Director-General, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, World Health Organization, also commented, “much of the suffering caused by this common and complex disease can be avoided. Many people in the world suffer needlessly from psoriasis due to incorrect or delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment options and insufficient access to care, and because of social stigmatization. “Governments and other partners have a key role to play in addressing the unnecessary social PSORIASIS – THE FACTS • Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales • It is caused by increased production of skin cells • It is not contagious • Patches normally appear on the scalp, elbows, knees and back, but can appear anywhere on the body • Psoriasis affects around two to three per cent of people in the UK • Symptoms can start at any age but mostly affect younger adults and those over 50 years old • The severity of the condition varies greatly from person to person • It’s a chronic disease that usually involves periods when you have no symptoms or mild symptoms, followed by periods when symptoms are more severe • There’s no cure but symptoms can be managed Contact Katy Pollard [email protected] 07808555705 consequences of psoriasis by the challenging the myths and behaviours that lead to the exclusion of patients from health-care settings and daily life.” “ People with psoriasis see a decrease in their quality of life relating to decreased happiness, and are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, and may have suicidal thoughts. ”