Johnson & Johnson Launches 'Here Lies No Psoriasis' Initiative to Support Educational and Career Equity for Psoriasis Patients

China Finance and Economics News, October 28th: On the occasion of the 21st "World Psoriasis Day" on October 29th, the public welfare project "No Silver Here" initiated by Johnson & Johnson, and supported by the China Workers Development Foundation and Phoenix Network Public Welfare, officially started in Beijing today. This project aims to support fair academic and career development for psoriasis patients.

"On the one hand, we continue to provide innovative solutions for the field of psoriasis treatment in China, helping patients achieve deeper and complete clearance, longer maintenance, and higher convenience in their treatment goals. On the other hand, we also continuously focus on the unmet needs of patients beyond treatment," said Cherry Huang, President of Johnson & Johnson's Innovative Pharmaceutical Division in China. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are part of Johnson & Johnson’s corporate culture. With this public welfare project as a starting point, we hope to call for public understanding and care, enhance correct awareness of psoriasis, and work together with all sectors of society to discuss the vision of a "psoriasis-free" future, supporting psoriasis patients in fairly pursuing their academic and career development starting from here.

Data show that psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory, and systemic disease mediated by immunity, triggered by the interaction of genetics and environment. Its clinical manifestations include scaly erythema or plaques. The prevalence rate of psoriasis in China is about 0.47%, with nearly 7 million patients suffering from this disease.

Professor Wei Aihua, Director of the Dermatology Department at Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, pointed out that psoriasis is characterized by a high incidence in young adults, with about two-thirds of patients developing the condition before the age of 40, which is a critical stage for education and employment. "In recent years, with the clinical application of innovative drugs such as biologics, it has become possible for patients to achieve complete or almost complete clearance of symptoms and skin lesions (PASI100 or PASI90), significantly improving the quality of life for psoriasis patients. However, psoriasis remains an incurable disease with the risk of recurrence, requiring the joint efforts of both doctors and patients for long-term management and standardized treatment. Patients should also follow medical advice and actively cooperate, avoiding self-initiated discontinuation or reduction of medication, taking responsibility for their own health, so they can truly return to normal study and work."

To visually showcase the unknown experiences of psoriasis patients in schools and workplaces, as well as their longing for fairness and pursuit of a better life, the public service micro-film "In Search of Li Baiyin," supported by Johnson & Johnson, premiered at the event.

As China's first public welfare micro-film focusing on the educational and employment fairness for psoriasis patients, the film uses delicate cinematography to tell the story of a photographer protagonist who experiences his first psoriasis outbreak. After being "forced to take leave" due to the illness, he regains his professional confidence while preparing a workplace portrait photography exhibition, working together with fellow psoriasis patients to break down workplace prejudice. "We hope that through this film, more people will see that psoriasis patients are equally capable of shining in schools and workplaces and should enjoy the right to fair development," said Ma Ziyan, the director of the micro-film.

Shi Xingxiang, founder of the Psoriasis Patient Mutual Aid Network, stated that the short film authentically portrays the difficulties faced by psoriasis patients during their education and employment. "Many individuals with psoriasis, just like the characters in the film, have lost numerous opportunities—either voluntarily or involuntarily—due to the prejudiced looks from others, which has even altered the entire course of their lives."

Wu Jianguang, Chairman of the China Workers Development Foundation, called for attention to employment fairness for health-disadvantaged groups. "We are delighted to see that social forces, represented by enterprises, are paying attention to patients with psoriasis and advocating for their rights. It is also an honor to participate in this project as a public welfare supporter, building consensus and contributing strength. We are willing to work with the organizers to explore innovative public welfare models and create a more friendly and inclusive employment environment."