From the academy
The burden of skin disease in the United States

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Since the publication of the last US national burden of skin disease report in 2006, there have been substantial changes in the practice of dermatology and the US health care system. These include the development of new treatment modalities, marked increases in the cost of medications, increasingly complex payer rules and regulations, and an aging of the US population. Recognizing the need for up-to-date data to inform researchers, policy makers, public stakeholders, and health care providers about the impact of skin disease on patients and US society, the American Academy of Dermatology produced a new national burden of skin disease report. Using 2013 claims data from private and governmental insurance providers, this report analyzed the prevalence, cost, and mortality attributable to 24 skin disease categories in the US population. In this first of 3 articles, the presented data demonstrate that nearly 85 million Americans were seen by a physician for at least 1 skin disease in 2013. This led to an estimated direct health care cost of $75 billion and an indirect lost opportunity cost of $11 billion. Further, mortality was noted in half of the 24 skin disease categories.

Section snippets

Methods

In 2014, the AAD appointed a BSD Work Group to develop a current BSD report. Milliman (New York, NY) was selected to work with the BSD Work Group. Detailed

US claims-based prevalence of skin disease in 2013

Nearly 85 million Americans (27% of population; 1 in 4 individuals) were seen by a physician for skin disease in 2013 (Fig 2, A). Overall, affected individuals averaged 1.6 skin diseases. Up to 64 years of age, the prevalence and average number of skin diseases per person was relatively similar for all age groups; however, the prevalence increased to nearly 50% for those age 65 years and older, with an average of 2.2 skin diseases diagnosed per person (Fig 2, B). Comparable prevalence and

Discussion

The last AAD/SID US BSD report was developed using data that are now more than 12 years old. Since then, the national health care landscape has rapidly and significantly changed.38, 39, 40 These changes include the Affordable Care Act, Medicare Access and Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2015, evolving US demographic trends, a vast array of new drugs and treatment options, and new technologies to facilitate remote diagnosis and treatment.38, 39, 40, 41, 42

The number of

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    Funding sources: None.

    Conflicts of interest: None declared.

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