Burden of skin disease

In 2016, the AAD embarked on a research study that looked at the effects of having skin disease on the United States patient population, and to provide an up-to-date analysis of the burden of skin disease that reflects these recent changes in the practice of medicine.

The Academy offers the Burden of Skin Disease report for licensing. The report examined prevalence, economic burdens, and mortality for skin disease in the US using 2013 healthcare claims data drawn from insurance enrollment and claims data and found that:

• 84.5 million Americans — one in four — were impacted by skin disease

• Skin disease cost the US health care system $75 billion in medical, preventative, and prescription and non-prescription drug costs

• One in three Americans with skin disease were seen by a dermatologist, who collaborates with other physicians throughout the health care system in caring for these patients

Report summary featured in JAAD

The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) has featured a multi-part series and summary of the findings of the Burden of Skin Disease report.

• The Burden of Skin Disease in the United States

• Contribution of health care factors to the burden of skin disease in the United States

• A risk adjustment approach to estimating the burden of skin disease in the United States

Report includes analysis of 24 disease categories

The 2016 Burden of Skin Disease report, commissioned by the American Academy of Dermatology, examined prevalence, economic burdens, and mortality for skin disease in the US using 2013 healthcare claims data drawn from insurance enrollment and claims databases. The scope of this analysis was to study the burden of skin disease relevant to the practice of dermatology, as well as to other providers treating the skin.

The full Burden of Skin Disease report includes analysis of 24 disease categories.