National Psoriasis Foundation and Pfizer launch partnership for innovative grants

PORTLAND, Ore., July 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To increase the number of people with psoriatic disease who are effectively treating their condition and improve their quality of life, the National Psoriasis Foundation and pharmaceutical company Pfizer will award up to $1 million in learning and change grants through a new grant program.

Learn more about the learning and change grants.

Through this collaboration, the Pfizer Independent Grants for Learning & Change will help close the treatment gap in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, while dramatically improving the health outcomes for people with psoriatic disease—a key component of the National Psoriasis Foundation's five-year strategic plan. These projects will be funded by Pfizer and are the full responsibility of the National Psoriasis Foundation.

"Everything we do at the National Psoriasis Foundation is to improve the health of people living with psoriatic disease," said Michael Siegel, Ph.D., National Psoriasis Foundation director of research. "Thanks to Pfizer's support, we'll tap into an unmet need for our community and ensure that more people with moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are on the right treatment and that less people report their disease to be a problem in everyday life."

People with psoriasis—the most common autoimmune disease in the country, affecting more than 7 million Americans—are more likely to suffer depression, anxiety and have low self-esteem. According to a National Psoriasis Foundation survey, nearly 63 percent of people reported that psoriasis impacted their overall emotional wellbeing and 59 percent said it was a problem in their daily lives.

Additionally, a number of psoriasis patients do not treat their disease appropriate to their severity. Factors may include fear of treatment side effects, inconvenience, and lack of awareness regarding psoriasis and its comorbidities, or associated health risks, among other potential factors.

"Pfizer's partnership with the National Psoriasis Foundation underscores the value of collaboration in developing more patient-centered approaches that improve that quality of care for patients overall," said Freda Lewis-Hall, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer, Pfizer.

This new grant program will address these issues by supporting projects focused on increasing the number of psoriatic disease patients aware of treatment options appropriate to their disease severity. This ranges from individuals with psoriasis who are not treating at all to those with moderate to severe psoriasis who are treating, but are not taking advantage of options to maximize skin clearance.

To be eligible, applicants must be in the United States and affiliated with medical, dental, nursing, allied health and/or pharmacy schools; health care institutions; professional associations; and nonprofit organizations focused on health care improvement. Individual projects may request up to $500,000 for 2.5 years.  A total of $1 million in grant funding will be awarded.

Learn more and apply here.  

About the National Psoriasis Foundation
National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) is the world's largest nonprofit serving those with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our priority is to provide the services people need to take control of their condition, while increasing research to find a cure. In addition to serving more than 2.1 million people annually, the Psoriasis Foundation has funded more than $11 million in research grants and fellowships. Learn more about the NPF at www.psoriasis.org or call 800-723-9166. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE National Psoriasis Foundation

Related Links

http://www.psoriasis.org