Addressing Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Skin Disease Burden in Women

The document discusses the impact of autoimmune and immune-mediated skin diseases, particularly alopecia areata (AA), atopic dermatitis (AD), and psoriasis, on women. Over 23.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from these diseases, with women making up more than 80% of patients. AA, which causes hair loss, affects an estimated 700,000 people in the U.S., and is more likely to be diagnosed in women during adolescence or later. AD affects approximately 16.5 million people in the U.S., and is more common in women among adults. Up to 30% of the estimated 8 million people in the U.S. with psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The document emphasizes the need for increased research focus on these diseases, considering the biological sex differences in disease pathology. These conditions can cause significant physical and psychological burdens on women, including sleep disturbance, pain, discomfort, and hair loss. Autoimmune disorders in the U.S. are estimated to cost $100 billion per year in direct and indirect health care costs, lost productivity and earnings, and associated costs. The document calls for policy reforms to reduce barriers to access and health disparities related to these conditions.