About the Project
A CDC-Funded Public Health Initiative
State of AD: The First National Picture of Atopic Dermatitis in America
The State of AD is the first national, state, and county-level public health initiative to measure the burden of atopic dermatitis, identify care gaps, and improve access to care across the United States. It's a four-year plan to go from data to impact — led by the National Eczema Association and funded by the CDC.
The public health case
Closing critical care gaps
Atopic dermatitis affects an estimated 16.5 million adults and 9.6 million children in the United States. Despite its scale, AD is often dismissed in public perception as merely a cosmetic issue — when in fact it carries a significant public health burden, from disrupted sleep and mental health to major gaps in access to care.
Through this CDC-funded initiative, NEA is changing that. We developed the first state-level estimates of AD prevalence and disease burden — the data foundation needed to target resources, train providers and drive meaningful policy change.
This initiative will:
Establish the first national, state and county-level baseline of AD prevalence and disease burden
Equip primary care providers with tools to diagnose and manage AD earlier
Strengthen public health planning with data that is local, actionable and current
Reduce disparities in access to care for communities hit hardest by AD
Build a long-term hub for evidence-based AD resources available to everyone
Who this is foR
Built for the people closest to this problem
This initiative was designed to reach the providers, professionals, advocates and community members with the most power to change how AD is understood, diagnosed and treated.
State and county public health professionals
Primary care and specialty healthcare providers
Medical associations
Policymakers
Researchers and educators
Communities experiencing health disparities, including individuals with adult-onset AD, people covered by Medicaid, and people living in rural or underserved areas with limited access to specialty care
All people living with AD and their caregivers
Our Approach
A four-year plan to go from data to impact
This project follows a deliberate sequence: first, build the evidence base. Then translate it into tools providers can use. Then put it in front of the communities who need it most.
Meet our Team
Led by the National Eczema Association
NEA is a patient advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for everyone affected by eczema. This CDC-funded initiative is a direct expression of that mission, bringing scientific rigor to a disease that has been systematically underestimated and putting the results in the hands of the people who can do something about it.
All resources developed through this project are available to the public.