BeijingMay 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The skin is the largest organ of the human body and serves as an intuitive calling card for social interaction. For nearly 7 million psoriasis patients in China, skin issues are never merely a physical concern; they represent a real-life challenge that requires overcoming prejudice and discrimination to secure fair opportunities for development.
To understand the challenges and needs of psoriasis patients in their academic and career development, the “Psoriasis Patient Career Development Insight Survey” has recently been officially launched. Initiated by the Psoriasis Mutual Aid Network, supported by Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, and backed by the media support of “People’s Livelihood Weekly,” this survey is the first in China to focus specifically on the academic and career development of psoriasis patients. Through extensive questionnaire collection and data analysis, it aims to reveal the career development difficulties faced by psoriasis patients, encourage society to break down entrenched biases, and support patients in bravely pursuing self-fulfillment.
Visible Skin Lesions, Invisible Career Development Challenges
Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory, systemic, immune-mediated disease triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, clinically characterized by scaly erythema or plaques that are localized or widespread[1]. Although psoriasis is not contagious, patients often face differential treatment in social settings due to visible redness or scales, bearing heavy physical and psychological burdens. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) “Global Report on Psoriasis,” the disease reduces patients’ quality of life and causes psychological stress, with patients frequently experiencing discrimination and exclusion from normal social environments such as schools and workplaces[2].
In terms of age of onset, psoriasis commonly affects young and middle-aged adults, with about two-thirds of patients developing the condition before age 40[1]. This means that during critical life stages of education and employment, patients may be profoundly impacted by external prejudice and implicit discrimination stemming from skin lesions, as well as their own psychological anxiety and social withdrawal, hindering their self-fulfillment. Therefore, psoriasis affects not just the skin but potentially the entire life trajectory of the patient.
In recent years, with advances in medicine and the clinical application of innovative treatments, patients can achieve complete or near-complete clearance of skin lesions (PASI100 or PASI90) through early use of appropriate biologics and effective long-term disease management, thereby controlling the condition. However, while treating physical lesions, the academic and career development issues of psoriasis patients—related to their dignity, economic independence, and quality of life—still require further societal attention and resolution. The “Psoriasis Patient Career Development Insight Survey” stems from this profound insight, aiming to deeply understand the actual difficulties and core needs of psoriasis patients in academic and workplace development, using objective data to reveal the deep-seated impact of psoriasis on patients’ life progress.
Listening to the Community’s Voice, Empowering a Psoriasis-Free Life Together
From campus to workplace, many psoriasis patients may passively or actively deviate from their ideal life paths, hoping their abilities will be recognized and that they can enjoy the same educational and employment opportunities as healthy individuals. To this end, the “Psoriasis Patient Career Development Insight Survey” will broadly target the psoriasis patient community, conducting multi-dimensional research through online questionnaires. It will explore the actual impact of psoriasis on patients’ education and employment, assess their psychological stress levels in school and workplace settings, and focus on the role of standardized treatment and long-term disease management in improving patients’ academic and career development, as well as their core needs in personal growth and social integration.
Notably, against the backdrop of national emphasis on promoting high-quality and full employment, and continuously advancing career education and employment guidance, this survey focuses on the academic and career development of psoriasis patients and calls for fair employment opportunities for this group—a positive response to this policy direction. The survey findings are expected to inspire deeper understanding and action across society, uniting multiple forces to build a fairer educational and employment environment for psoriasis patients.
This survey is another key initiative of Johnson & Johnson’s “No Psoriasis Here” public welfare project in exploring diverse science communication and patient care approaches. With nearly 20 years of deep involvement in China’s immunology field, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine focuses on unmet patient needs beyond treatment. In 2024, it officially launched the “No Psoriasis Here” public welfare project, collaborating with multiple parties to support the fair academic and career development of psoriasis patients. As the questionnaires are widely distributed, this survey will also integrate data and produce an insight report, providing support for policy advocacy and corporate inclusive culture building, helping more psoriasis patients embrace a psoriasis-free life unbound by prejudice and undefinable by disease.