SIXTY-SEVENTH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY WHA67.9
Agenda item 13.5 24 May 2014
Psoriasis
The Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly,
Having considered the report on psoriasis,1
Recalling all relevant resolutions and decisions adopted by the World Health Assembly on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, and underlining the importance for Member States to continue addressing key risk factors for noncommunicable diseases through the implementation of the WHO global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 2013–2020;2
Recognizing the urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health, providing access to treatment and health care education;
Recognizing also that psoriasis is a chronic, noncommunicable, painful, disfiguring, and disabling disease for which there is no cure;
Recognizing further that in addition to the pain, itching and bleeding caused by psoriasis, many affected individuals around the world experience social and work-related stigma and discrimination;
Underscoring that those with psoriasis are at an elevated risk for a number of co-morbid conditions, namely, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, Crohn disease, heart attack, ulcerative colitis, metabolic syndrome, stroke and liver disease;
Underscoring also that up to 42% of those with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling at the joints and can lead to permanent disfigurement and disability;
Underscoring that too many people in the world suffer needlessly from psoriasis due to incorrect or delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment options and insufficient access to care;
Recognizing the advocacy efforts of stakeholders, in particular through activities held every year on 29 October in many countries, to raise awareness regarding the disease of psoriasis, including awareness of the stigmatization suffered by those with psoriasis;
Welcoming the consideration of psoriasis issues by the Executive Board at its 133rd session,
1 Document A67/18.
2 See document WHA66/2013/REC/1, Annex 4.
WHA67.9
2
1. ENCOURAGES Member States to engage further in advocacy efforts to raise awareness regarding the disease of psoriasis, fighting stigmatization suffered by those with psoriasis, in particular through activities held every year on 29 October in Member States;
2. REQUESTS the Director-General:
(1) to draw attention to the public health impact of psoriasis, publishing a global report on psoriasis, including the global incidence and prevalence, emphasizing the need for further research on psoriasis, and identifying successful approaches for integrating the management of psoriasis into existing services for noncommunicable diseases, for stakeholders, in particular policy-makers, by the end of 2015;
(2) to include information about psoriasis diagnosis, treatment and care on the WHO website, aiming to raise public awareness of psoriasis and its shared risk factors, and to provide an opportunity for education and greater understanding of psoriasis.
Ninth plenary meeting, 24 May 2014 A67/VR/9
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