As National Psoriasis Awareness Month draws attention to a chronic disease affecting about 8 million Americans, PAs are at the forefront of helping patients navigate treatment options, set expectation and make lifestyle adjustments.

Takeia Horton, PA-C, MPH, a Board Certified PA practicing in dermatology at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, said she has noticed a shift in how psoriasis is understood and treated.

“The most significant evolution over the past decade has been the shift from a topical-first, skin-limited focus to a comprehensive, systemic, patient-centered model,” she said. “We now recognize psoriasis as a chronic inflammatory disease with systemic implications, including associations with psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and mental health disorders.”

This broader understanding means PAs aren’t just treating skin but addressing overall patient health.

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