CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., July 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrity
chef, restaurateur, and media personality Elizabeth Falkner has teamed up with Sanofi
Genzyme, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the National Eczema
Association, and the Dermatology Nurses Association to launch
Understand AD, a national awareness campaign focused on
educating people about moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD), a
potentially serious, chronic inflammatory skin disease.1
Falkner is speaking out for the first time about her own struggle
with the disease to drive awareness about the physical impact and
effects on quality of life for people living with atopic
dermatitis, and to encourage others to speak up about their
experience.
"I have been living with the challenges of atopic dermatitis for
more than 20 years. At its worst, my atopic dermatitis causes
constant, unbearable itching, scabbing, visible rashes on my body
and even bleeding, and that's only the physical part," says
Elizabeth Falkner. "Having atopic
dermatitis can affect many aspects of a person's life – physically
and emotionally – and yet many people don't understand the severity
and impact. I joined Understand AD to empower people to have
more open conversations with their doctors and loved ones about the
impact this disease has on their lives."
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease
characterized by rashes and can include intense itching, skin
dryness, cracking, redness, crusting and oozing.1,2,3
Though symptoms can appear on the surface of the skin all over the
body,4 advances in research have provided new insights
on the cause of atopic dermatitis.5 Scientists now
believe AD is caused in part by systemic allergic inflammation that
results from a malfunctioning immune system.4,6 The
physical symptoms are challenging and impact people's sleep and
daily lives and the disease can also make people feel
self-conscious and embarrassed about their
appearance.7,8,9
"Understand AD aligns with our mission to educate the
public and support patients impacted by atopic dermatitis," says
Julie Block, President and CEO,
National Eczema Association. "Unfortunately, there's a
misperception that atopic dermatitis is just a 'skin condition'
that people can deal with on their own, but in reality, it's an
immunological disease that has a huge impact on patients' lives. We
want people living with this disease to know that they're not alone
and that we're committed to advocating for better care and
treatments, providing support and raising the level of awareness
about this serious, and often overlooked, disease."
An estimated 1.6 million adults in the
United States live with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe
atopic dermatitis.10 Researchers continue to discover
more about atopic dermatitis and there is still a need for
additional treatment options for atopic dermatitis.
"Our community of nurses on the front lines see people every day
who are suffering with atopic dermatitis," says Donna Beyer, MSN, RN, DNC, President of the
Dermatology Nurses Association. "But there is still a gap in public
awareness about this disease and a clear need for continued
education and supportive resources for patients. We're excited to
join Understand AD to help educate about the disease and to
drive the dialogue that atopic dermatitis is more than skin
deep."
Visit www.UnderstandAD.com to learn more about
moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, get connected with advocates
such as the National Eczema Association and Dermatology Nurses
Association, and hear from award-winning chef, media personality
and restaurateur Elizabeth Falkner
who has lived with atopic dermatitis for the past 20 years.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader,
discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused
on patients' needs. Sanofi is organized into five global business
units: Diabetes and Cardiovascular, General Medicines and Emerging
Markets, Sanofi Genzyme, Sanofi Pasteur and Merial.
Sanofi Genzyme focuses on developing specialty treatments for
debilitating diseases that are often difficult to diagnose and
treat, providing hope to patients and their families.
Genzyme® is a registered trademark of Genzyme
Corporation. Sanofi® is a registered trademark of
Sanofi. All rights reserved.
About Regeneron Pharmaceuticals,
Inc.
Regeneron is a leading science-based biopharmaceutical
company based in Tarrytown, New
York that discovers, invents, develops, manufactures, and
commercializes medicines for the treatment of serious medical
conditions. Regeneron commercializes medicines for eye diseases,
high LDL cholesterol and a rare inflammatory condition and has
product candidates in development in other areas of high unmet
medical need, including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, atopic
dermatitis, pain, cancer, and infectious diseases. For additional
information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com
or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
About the National Eczema Association
The National
Eczema Association (NEA) is a non-profit 501(c) (3) patient
advocacy organization whose mission is to improve the health and
quality of life for individuals with eczema through research,
support, and education. In the United States alone, over 10% of the
population has some form of atopic dermatitis/eczema. NEA was
founded in 1988 by a group of patients, medical professionals, and
parents to help individuals and families living with this skin
disease live healthier lives. Through a variety of educational
materials, including a quarterly patient-oriented magazine, a
monthly electronic newsletter, and trustworthy website, the NEA
reaches out to a diverse audience that includes eczema patients,
caregivers, medical professionals, and other stakeholders. NEA also
conducts patient conferences and participates in a wide-variety of
medical symposiums. NEA is active year round to promote eczema
awareness, break through stereotypes and address issues critical to
patient care. Advocacy efforts include advancing increases in skin
disease research funding through the National Institute of
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) of the
National Institutes of Health, as well as increasing public
understanding regarding the burden of eczema. NEA provides a
network of support groups, an up-to-date website with the latest
research and treatment information, a Seal of Acceptance program
for over-the-counter products to help eczema patients navigate the
myriad of products necessary for their daily skin care regimen, and
a research program to advance scientific knowledge and care.
All NEA programs and services result in benefits for eczema
patients and their families. NEA does not endorse specific
products. For more information about the National Eczema
Association, visit www.nationaleczema.org, contact at
info@nationaleczema.org, or call 1-800-818-7546.
About the Dermatology Nurses Association
The
Dermatology Nurses Association (DNA) is a professional nursing
organization comprised of a diverse group of individuals committed
to quality care through sharing knowledge and expertise. The core
purpose of the DNA is to promote excellence in dermatologic care.
Members include nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed
practical and vocational nurses, medical assistants and others
associated with dermatology nursing, who work in a variety of
settings including clinics, academic institutions, private
practice, public health centers, and government facilities. DNA
offers education and training in fundamental and cutting-edge
dermatology care and treatment through its annual convention, local
chapter meetings, dermatology nurse and nurse practitioner
certification review courses and expert workshops. Members of the
DNA's Nurse Practitioner Society are afforded tools, resources and
education focused on the needs of the advanced nurse practitioner.
The DNA Focus Newsletter and official journal, the Journal of
Dermatology Nurses Association, extend the DNA's informational and
education presence with association and practice news,
learner-paced continuing education and timely resources.
Contacts Sanofi:
Media
Relations
Carrie
Brown
Tel: +1 (908)
981-6486
carrie.brown@sanofi.com
Contacts Regeneron:
Media
Relations
Ilana
Tabak
Tel: +1 (914) 847-3836
Mobile: +1 (914)
450-6677
ilana.tabak@regeneron.com
1 World Allergy Association 2004:
http://www.worldallergy.org/professional/allergic_diseases_center/atopiceczema/.
Accessed March 21, 2016.
2 Bieber T. Mechanisms of disease: atopic dermatitis.
N Engl J Med. 2008;358:1483-9
3
http://www.mountsinai.org/patient-care/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/atopic-dermatitis#risk
Accessed: May 24, 2016.
4 National Institutes of Health (NIH). Handout on
Health: Atopic Dermatitis (A type of eczema) May 2013. Available online:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Atopic_Dermatitis/default.asp.
Accessed: May 24, 2016.
5 Leung DYM, Boguniewicz M, Howell MD, Nomura I, Hamid
QA. New insights into atopic dermatitis. J Clin Invest.
2004;113:651-657.
6 Lebwohl MG, Del Rosso JQ, Abramovits W, et al.
Pathways to managing atopic dermatitis: consensus from the experts.
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013;6(7 Suppl):S2-S18
7 Misery L, Finlay AY, Martin N, et al. Atopic
dermatitis: impact on the quality of life of patients and their
partners. Dermatology. 2007;215:123-129.
8 Zuberbier T, Orlow SJ, Paller AS, et al. Patient
perspectives on the management of atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin
Immunol. 2006;118:226-232.
9 Eichenfield LF, Tom WL, Chamlin SL, et al. Guidelines
of care for the management of atopic dermatitis. Section 1. J Am
Acad Dermatol. 2014;70:338-51.
10 Adelphi Final Report, data on file
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SOURCE Sanofi