Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects over 31 million US adults and children: approximately 1 in 10 individuals of all ages, races, and ethnicities. Uncontrolled AD has a marked multidimensional burden beyond skin symptoms that results in detrimental physical, mental, and social impacts and poorer health-related quality of life for affected individuals and their families.
Over three phases this project will:
1) promote awareness of the significance of AD to public health professionals through dissemination of newly generated state and regional estimates of AD prevalence, combined with information about patient demographics, healthcare providers and AD prescription treatment utilization to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ‘state’ of AD;
2) develop practical summaries of current evidence-based guidelines, and utilize state and regional level information to develop and deploy targeted educational opportunities and resources to enhance AD diagnosis, management, assessment, and specialist consult/referral by primary healthcare providers, particularly for populations where health disparities for increased AD prevalence and severity exist (BIPOC [Black, indigenous, and people of color], individuals with adult-onset AD, Medicaid beneficiaries, and residents of rural areas), and;
3) conduct a three-tiered national, state and community level public awareness campaign focused on obtaining a timely AD diagnosis and the importance of disease control.
A dedicated website will serve as a focal point for promoting existing and newly developed project information and resources.
