How Determi-Nation Promotes Diversity in Psoriasis Research and Treatment

When addressing psoriatic disease, it is important to consider how it uniquely affects people with skin of color. People from different racial and ethnic groups often struggle with psoriatic disease due to delays in diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and limited access to diagnostic testing and treatment.

Furthermore, the lack of access to care and treatment has resulted in biologic use being 69% lower in patients with skin of color compared to white patients.

All of these factors stem from a lack of understanding from providers as to how conditions such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis affect Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Indigenous communities.

Recently, Janssen Pharmaceuticals announced Determi-Nation, a health movement led by healthcare providers, patients and advocates from a myriad of backgrounds and experiences.

The movement aims to directly improve care for people of color and support earlier and more accurate diagnoses for those living with psoriatic disease.

In addition to Dertermi-Nation, Janssen, the American Academy of Dermatology and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health also announced “Pathways: Inclusivity in Dermatology,” a program created to increase the number of dermatology residents from underrepresented minority groups by over 50% by 2027

Lynn McKinley-Grant, MD, FAAD, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Howard University College of Medicine and former President of the Skin of Color Society and Determi-Nation member will be offering her indispensable knowledge on psoriatic disease in skin of color to bolster this multi-year commitment.

But her passion for accurate clinical assessments of psoriatic disease in people of color is very much rooted in the present and what can be improved upon now to ensure a more inclusive future for patients with skin of color and psoriasis.

In this episode of DocTalk, McKinley-Grant speaks on psoriatic disease presents itself in skin of color, improving upon diversity in clinical trials, how scientific literature on psoriatic disease continues to evolve, the lack of exposure to skin of color some providers may have based on their location, and much more.

“I think in terms of listening to the patient, looking at the patient, touching the patient, all of these things help you make a more accurate diagnosis of psoriasis particularly because psoriasis will come very symmetrically,” McKinley-Grant said. “One of the tools I like to use is the arts, and getting people to look at color and paintings actually in the museum and observing different shades, and studies have shown that improves observational skills.”

Listen to DocTalk to hear more from Dr. McKinley-Grant on her work with Determi-Nation.