National Health Council — Voluntary Health Agency Guide

National Psoriasis Foundation

The National Psoriasis Foundation is a patient-driven, nonprofit health organization that is the voice for the 5 million people diagnosed with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our mission is to improve their lives through education, advocacy and research.

The Psoriasis Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and advised on medical issues by a volunteer Medical Board. The organization offers a comprehensive array of services for people with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis, and their families, including physician recommendations, support groups, publications, advocacy, research programs and updates, and online and on-call patient educators.

The Psoriasis Foundation is an advocate in insurance legislation and other public policy areas affecting the psoriasis patient. The organization also promotes research through the support of grants, fellowships and scientific meetings.

About the condition(s):

Psoriasis is a chronic, noncontagious, lifelong skin disease that causes dry, red, scaly patches (called "lesions") to appear on your skin. It can show up on any part of your body; in most cases it shows up on the elbows, knees, scalp or torso. There are five kinds of psoriasis although plaque psoriasis is most common. It involves patches of raised, red skin covered by a flaky white build up called "scale" and is usually found on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp.

About 10 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also get psoriatic arthritis which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. Hands, feet, wrists, ankles and lower back are most ofen affected by this type of arthritis.