EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN HELPS TEENS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS TACKLE EVERYDAY CHALLENGES OF LIVING WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE ATOPIC DERMATITIS
Understand AD?program brings together a team of experts to help a teen with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and his parents navigate the disease
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.?(NASDAQ:?REGN) and?Sanofi, in partnership with the?National Eczema Association?(NEA), today launched the next phase of?Understand AD, a disease awareness initiative focused on educating about moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).
Teenagers face many challenges, and growing up with AD can impact the ups and downs and transitions to young adulthood even harder. The new phase of?Understand AD?deploys a team of experts ? a dermatologist, psychotherapist and peer living with severe AD, together known as?The Understand AD Squad?? into the home of?Isaiah Dixon, a 17-year-old who has been living with severe AD since he was two years old. This experience with Isaiah and his family is shared through a video series and downloadable resources on?www.UnderstandAD.com?that aim to provide support to teens and their families on how to navigate life with AD.
Like the 400,000 adolescents in the U.S. with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, Isaiah has lived with debilitating, burdensome disease symptoms including intense, persistent itching, skin lesions and skin dryness, cracking, redness, crusting and oozing. AD flares are reported to impact school life in 46 percent of 14-17 year-olds with the disease. Teens reported missing an average of 26 days of school per year due to flares.
The Dixon family has been impacted physically and mentally by severe AD. Throughout his life, Isaiah's symptoms have caused frequent hospitalizations, school absences and emotional stress for him and his loved ones.
"Living with severe atopic dermatitis requires constant care. My family has always helped me manage my disease," said Isaiah. "Like many teens with atopic dermatitis, I know that I will need to start taking care of my disease more independently as I get older.?The Understand AD Squad?expanded my support system and helped me become more independent in managing my atopic dermatitis."
The Understand AD Squad?features eczema specialist Dr.?Mercedes E. Gonzalez, psychotherapist?Christine Triano, MSW, LCSW and AD patient-peer?Tyler Berryman, who came together to each lend their unique perspectives of AD to support teens and their families on their journey.
"The?Understand AD?program aligns with NEA's commitment to educating the public and supporting patients impacted by atopic dermatitis, not only physically, but also emotionally," said?Julie Block, President and CEO,?National Eczema Association. "NEA wants teens living with this disease and their families to know that they are not alone and that NEA is committed to advocating for better care and treatments, providing support and raising the level of awareness about this serious, and often overlooked, disease."
Visit?www.UnderstandAD.com?to learn more about moderate-to-severe AD, watch?The Understand AD Squad?films, and download helpful resources for teens with AD, and their caregivers.
About the Understand AD Squad
- Dr.?Mercedes E. Gonzalez?is a pediatric dermatologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the?Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine?and at the?University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where she serves as faculty advisor for the dermatology interest group. As an?Understand AD Squad?member, Dr. Gonzalez discusses the science behind AD and how teens can address this with their doctor.
- Christine Triano, MSW, LCSW?is a psychotherapist and Director of Mental Health at?The Center for Connection?in?Pasadena, California. As an?Understand AD Squad?member, Christine highlights the emotional burden of moderate-to-severe AD and the importance of communication among families who are battling the disease.
- Tyler Berrymanis a young adult who has lived with severe AD since childhood. As an?Understand AD Squad?member, Tyler shares the lessons he's learned from managing AD most of his life, and why he's passionate about helping other teens with the disease.
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SOURCE?Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.