House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

In the near future, I will introduce a resolution proclaiming October 29^th, 2013 as “Psoriasis Day” in Pennsylvania.

Psoriasis is a common autoimmune, inflammatory skin disease that affects nearly 320,000 Pennsylvanians, 7.5 million Americans and 125 million persons worldwide. The disease appears on the skin as red, scaly patches that itch and bleed. Since 1966, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) has been dedicated to finding a cure for Americans who live with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The NFB represents the U.S. in the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA), which initiated the designation of October 29^th as “World Psoriasis Day” in 2004 in order to raise awareness of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Numerous studies have concluded that psoriasis is linked to many other serious medical conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cancer and lymphoma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity and metabolic syndrome, diabetes, depression, sexual dysfunction and sleep apnea. In addition, an observational study of 2,500 patients without psoriasis and 3,236 patients with psoriasis found that those with psoriasis had an increased risk of peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and ischemic heart disease. According to the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania, the risk of death for cardiovascular disease increases by 57% for individuals living with psoriasis.

Having the General Assembly designate October 29^th, 2013 as “Psoriasis Day” in Pennsylvania is one way to recognize the suffering that many Americans endure as a result of living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis as well as educate others regarding the significant impact of this condition.