Among the many systemic diseases that dermatologists may see and help treat in patients is myositis—a serious autoimmune disease that can take various forms, some involving the skin.

May is National Myositis Awareness Month—created to help educate the healthcare community and the general public about myositis—a disease that on the average takes more than three-and-a-half years and five doctors to receive a correct autoimmune disease diagnosis. Did you know that women of color are disproportionately affected by Dermatomyositis (DM) and Polymyositis (PM), and mortality rates from DM and PM are highest among women of color?

Skin of Color Society members are invited to participate in a webinar, Women of Color and Myositis Webinar, presented by The Myositis Association on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at 12:00pm EST.

During this webinar, you’ll learn from Sonye Danoff, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic, and Medical Advisory Board member, and Cheilonda R. Johnson, MD, MHS, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pulmonary Medicine.

The Myositis Association (TMA) offers various programs that may be of interest to SOCS members, including fellowships and grants. For those who are interested, the deadlines for a Letter of Intent is due May 15, 2019, the full application is due June 15, 2019. Funding decisions will be made October 1, 2019.

In addition, TMA will present its Annual Patient Conference on September 5-9, 2019 in Minneapolis, MN, featuring more than 90 educational sessions about the most up-to-date research and care from global experts in myositis. To learn more about TMA’s Annual Patient Conference, attend their informational webinar on April 30th at 2pm EST.

The Myositis Association works closely with the American Academy of Dermatology, serves as a member of the DCAN (Derma Care Action Network), and has recently made connections with Global Skin and FAIM (which are international patient skin disease organizations). The Skin of Color Society is pleased to help support the work of this important organization by sharing pertinent information.

Watch for more information about Myositis Awareness Month in May and if you’re interested in participating in the upcoming webinar, Women of Color and Myositis – register today!

To learn more about The Myositis Association, visit their website:
www.myositis.org.