During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people with many different existing health conditions have been concerned about how the coronavirus and the response to coronavirus may impact their health.
This includes people with psoriatic disease—which encompasses psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. People with psoriatic disease may find themselves concerned about the health of their immune systems, the risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and the safety of continuing to use biologic therapies.
If you are living with one or both of these conditions, the following sources may help you find reliable information. It is important to remember that the pandemic has been a constantly changing situation, and that your healthcare provider is your best source of information for any questions or concerns you have about your health.
National Psoriasis Foundation
The National Psoriasis Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the lives of people managing psoriasis while furthering research into our understanding of psoriasis and how it can be treated. The National Psoriasis Foundation has a resource center with a wide variety of information about living with psoriasis and psoriatic disease during the pandemic. The resource center includes patient education webinars, Q&As with healthcare providers, podcasts, information on utilizing telehealth, and more.
CreakyJoints
Part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation, CreakyJoints is a nonprofit that seeks to empower people with arthritis and help them put themselves at the center of their care and their health. Their website provides information about all forms of arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis. The site also features a page dedicated to living with arthritis during the pandemic. Topics covered include COVID-19 vaccines, daily living during the pandemic, managing arthritis while managing a COVID-19 infection, mental health during the pandemic, and perspectives from arthritis patients.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The website of the CDC is a great place to go when you are looking for the latest information about the pandemic, such as the number of cases, how to protect yourself, vaccination, and breaking news. The CDC also has pages with information about psoriatic disease.
National Institutes of Health
If you are looking for the latest research on COVID-19, visit the NIH website, which covers topics such as testing, treatment, vaccines, and the strategic response to the pandemic.
Global Healthy Living Foundation
The Global Healthy Living Foundation, or GHLF, is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting people living with chronic illnesses, such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. They are currently partnering with two patient advocates—one with psoriasis and one with psoriatic arthritis—to keep people with these conditions informed during the pandemic. Their resource center includes a newsletter that you can sign up for and a variety of information about living with a chronic illness during the pandemic, including the impact on mental health.
