On the occasion of the 21st World Psoriasis Day on October 29th, the "No Silver in This Place" Psoriasis Patient Academic and Occupational Equity Development Support Public Welfare Project, initiated by Johnson&Johnson and supported by the China Employee Development Foundation and Phoenix Net, was officially launched in Beijing.
Professor Wei Aihua, Director of the Dermatology Department at Beijing Tongren Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, Wu Jianguang, Chairman of the China Workers' Development Foundation, Cherry Huang, President of Johnson&Johnson Innovative Pharmaceutical China, and representatives of patient organizations attended the event together. They faced the difficulties faced by psoriasis patients in their education and employment, and discussed how to enhance public awareness of the disease and promote fair development of psoriasis patients' education and employment through joint efforts in disease management and social support.
Professor Wei Aihua pointed out, "Psoriasis has the characteristic of high incidence in young and middle-aged people. About two-thirds of patients develop the disease before the age of 40 and are in a critical stage of learning 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), and the quality of life of psoriasis patients has been significantly improved. However, psoriasis is still an incurable disease and faces the risk of recurrence. Both doctors and patients need to work together to carry out long-term management and standardized treatment. Patients should also actively cooperate with medical advice and should not stop or reduce medication on their own. They should become the first person responsible for their own health in order to truly return to normal learning and work
Data shows that over 60% of patients have suffered serious negative impacts on their work or studies due to recurrent illness, lack of understanding, and differential treatment. To visually showcase the experiences of psoriasis patients in schools and workplaces that are not known to the public, as well as their desire for fairness and pursuit of a better life, the public welfare micro film "Searching for Li Baiyin", supported by Johnson&Johnson, was first released at the event. As the first domestic public welfare micro film focusing on fair education and employment for psoriasis patients, the film tells the story of the photographer protagonist who first developed psoriasis with delicate camera language. After being "on vacation" due to the disease, he once again strengthens his professional confidence and works together with his silver friends to break down workplace prejudices in the process of organizing a portrait photography exhibition in the workplace.
Many silver friends, like the characters in the film, have actively or passively lost many opportunities due to the strange looks of others, and even their entire life trajectory has changed, "said Shi Xingxiang, founder of Psoriasis Friends Mutual Aid Network. The short film truly reproduces the difficulties faced by psoriasis patients in the process of seeking education and employment. Wang Luguang, founder of Niuba New Media, also spoke from personal experience, "Psoriasis is an annoying trouble, and the mental pressure and perceived injustice of patients are largely due to self denial caused by the disease. I hope more psoriasis patients can return to a healthy skin state and break free from psychological shackles as soon as possible like the characters in the film
The difficulties encountered by psoriasis patients in their pursuit of education and employment stem from external misunderstandings and biases, as well as a lack of social attention and support. It requires joint efforts from all sectors of society to improve this situation. Micro film director Ma Ziyan said, "I hope the film can show more people that psoriasis patients also have the ability to shine in schools and workplaces, and should enjoy the right to fair development. I hope that through the art form of film, more people can understand the difficulties of this group and encourage patients to embrace life with a more positive attitude
Wu Jianguang calls for attention to employment equity for vulnerable groups in terms of health. We are delighted to see that social forces represented by enterprises can pay attention to psoriasis patients and speak up for their rights. We are also honored to participate in this project as a public welfare supporter, to build consensus and contribute. We are willing to work with the organizers to explore innovative public welfare models and create a more friendly and inclusive employment environment
As the organizer of this public welfare project, Johnson&Johnson has always been committed to growing together with the field of immunology in China, leading the future of immunotherapy in China with science. On the one hand, we continue to provide innovative solutions for the treatment of psoriasis in China, helping patients achieve deeper, longer, and more convenient treatment goals. On the other hand, we also continue to pay attention to the urgent needs of patients beyond treatment. "Cherry Huang, President of Johnson&Johnson Innovative Pharmaceuticals China, said," Diversity, fairness, and inclusiveness are Johnson&Johnson's corporate culture. We hope to use this public welfare project as a starting point to call for public understanding and care, enhance the public's correct understanding of psoriasis, work together with all sectors of society to discuss the 'silver free' vision, and support psoriasis patients to pursue academic and career development fairly from this place. "(Wang Xinran)