IFPA Puts Psoriatic Disease on the Global NCD Agenda at UNGA 80

On the sidelines of UNGA 80, IFPA held a discussion in partnership with Devex to spotlight an overlooked and misunderstood public health challenge — psoriatic disease. The event explored how psoriatic disease is linked to the broader NCD agenda and why policymakers must listen to people living with the disease and include their perspectives.

The panel discussion, moderated by Devex’s Kate Warren, featured Frida Dunger, IFPA’s Executive Director, and Kate Reynolds, IFPA Ambassador, advocate, and children’s librarian living with psoriatic disease.

The conversation highlighted that psoriatic disease is often dismissed as a cosmetic skin issue, while in reality it is a complex, chronic, lifelong disease that affects the whole body and is closely linked to other NCDs such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression.

At a time when world leaders are defining the future of the global NCD agenda at UNGA 80, this discussion serves as a reminder that so-called “niche” diseases like psoriasis have profound health and economic impacts — and must be included in building more sustainable, patient-centered health policies.

Watch the full video of the panel discussion below.

Photo: Martin Summer Photography