College-Age Psoriasis Awareness Campaign (CAPAC) - Backgrounder

Main Category: Eczema / Psoriasis
Article Date: 16 Oct 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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In fall 2006, the National Psoriasis Foundation will introduce the College-Age Psoriasis Awareness Campaign (CAPAC), a first-ever national initiative that addresses the emotional and social impact that young adults ages 18 to 25 face when they have psoriasis.

The National Psoriasis Foundation aims to provide young adults with psoriasis with educational resources so that they can better understand how to cope with psoriasis at this critical time in their lives.

One component of this campaign is an attitudinal survey of young adults to identify knowledge and understanding that people without psoriasis may have about the disease and its social implications, and to determine experiences and attitudes of young adults who have psoriasis.

-- The survey involved nearly 650 people between the ages of 18 and 25; 140 of whom have psoriasis and more than 500 who do not.

-- Survey results show that young adults with psoriasis feel uncomfortable when others stare and will hide their condition with long sleeves or avoid the gym or beach, for example, if they have visible skin lesions.

-- The knowledge that psoriasis is not contagious is likely to double the chance someone would date someone with the disease.

By educating the general public about psoriasis and the impact it can have on an individual, a more thoughtful and accepting environment can be created.

For more information on the College-Age Psoriasis Awareness Campaign or to get a free brochure - "Psoriasis 101: Learning to Live in the Skin You're In"-please visit the National Psoriasis Foundation Web site at http://www.psoriasis.org.

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