What is psoriasis? Psoriasis is a chronic, noncommunicable, painful, disfiguring and disabling disease for which there is no cure and with great negative impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). It can occur at any age, and is most common in the age group 50–69 (1). The reported prevalence of psoriasis in countries ranges between 0.09% (2) and 11.4% (3), making psoriasis a serious global problem. The etiology of psoriasis remains unclear, although there is evidence for genetic predisposition (4). The role of the immune system in psoriasis causation is also a major topic of research. Although there is a suggestion that psoriasis could be an autoimmune disease, no autoantigen that could be responsible has been defined yet. Psoriasis can also be provoked by external and internal triggers, including mild trauma, sunburn, infections, systemic drugs and stress (5). Psoriasis involves the skin and nails, and is associated with a number of comorbidities. Skin lesions are localized or generalized, mostly symmetrical, sharply demarcated, red papules and plaques, and usually covered with white or silver scales. Lesions cause itching, stinging and pain. Between 1.3% (6) and 34.7% (7) of individuals with psoriasis develop chronic, inflammatory arthritis (psoriatic arthritis) that leads to joint deformations and disability. Between 4.2% and 69% of all patients suffering from psoriasis develop nail changes (8–10). Individuals with psoriasis are reported to be at increased risk of developing other serious clinical conditions such as cardiovascular and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) (5,11,12). Psoriasis causes great physical, emotional and social burden (13–15). QoL, in general, is often significantly impaired (16–23). Disfiguration, disability and marked loss of productivity are common challenges for people with psoriasis. There is also a significant cost to mental well-being, such as higher rates of depression, leading to negative impact for individuals and society (24,25). Social exclusion, discrimination and stigma are psychologically devastating for individuals suffering from psoriasis and their families. It is not psoriasis causing the exclusion – it is largely society’s reaction to it and this can change. Treatment of psoriasis is still based on controlling the symptoms. Topical and systemic therapies as well as phototherapy are available. In practice, a combination of these methods is often used. The need for treatment is usually lifelong and is aimed at remission. So far, there is no therapy that would give hope for a complete cure of psoriasis. Additionally, care for patients with psoriasis requires not only treating skin lesions and joint involvement, but it is also very important to identify and manage common comorbidity that already exists or may develop, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases as well as psychological conditions. In 2015, the notion is that psoriasis is a complex disease leading to numerous consequences for patients’ lives Global report on psoriasis Synopsis on psoriasis as a chronic disease All Member States recognized the burden of psoriasis and committed to increase their efforts to fight the stigma and unnecessary exclusion of people living with psoriasis. They recognized as well that too many people in the world suffer needlessly from psoriasis due to incorrect or delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment options and insufficient access to care. The resolution requested WHO to prepare a global report on psoriasis, drawing policy makers with practical solutions to improve the health care and the social inclusion of individuals with psoriasis – and other NCDs – in society. Why a global report on psoriasis? On 24 May 2014, the Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) passed a