Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the digestive tract and impacting about seven million people worldwide. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two of the most common forms of IBD. The unpredictable symptoms associated with IBD, which may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, unintended weight loss and fatigue, often create emotional and social challenges for those impacted.

Systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common form of lupus, a chronic multi-organ autoimmune disease primarily affecting women of childbearing age (15 to 44 years). It’s estimated that at least five million people worldwide have a form of the disease, with SLE accounting for approximately 70 percent of all cases of lupus. The cause of SLE is unknown, but symptoms occur throughout the body, depending on which organs or systems are impacted. People with SLE experience a different combination and severity of symptoms that may come and go and change over time, such as joint pains, skin rash, extreme fatigue or cognitive issues.

Atopic dermatitis, more commonly referred to as eczema, is a chronic condition that causes dryness, itchiness and inflammation of the skin. The condition can lead to sleep problems, stigmatization and lower quality of life and may worsen or improve over time, often in cycles of “flares” and “remissions.” Approximately 223 million people are living with atopic dermatitis worldwide.

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune condition that occurs when melanocytes (skin cells that create pigment) are attacked by a person’s own immune system, causing a whitening of the skin or depigmentation in patches. Vitiligo often appears in a symmetrical pattern on both sides of the body, such as on both knees. It’s frequently found on the hands, feet, arms and face, but body hair and mucous membranes, such as the inside of the mouth, may also be impacted. Seventy million people around the world have vitiligo, which, outside of depigmentation, may lead to low self-esteem and inflammation in the eyes and ears.

Systemic sclerosis is a rare autoimmune condition that affects connective tissue in the body, typically causing the skin to thicken and tighten. The disease can impact other organs and commonly manifests as interstitial lung disease, which affects the tissue and space around the air sacs of the lungs. Interstitial lung disease caused by systemic sclerosis is known as scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Systemic sclerosis impacts approximately 2.5 million people worldwide with interstitial lung disease occurring in more than half and often associated with a poor prognosis.

Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa, is a condition that causes painful skin lumps, which are often mistaken for pimples and cysts. These lumps are typically found near hair follicles around sweat glands, including the groin, breasts and armpits. Without treatment, the condition can worsen and cause abscesses, or pockets of pus, that can break open and form scars, and may also lead to the formation of tunnels under the skin, called sinus tracts. Hidradenitis suppurativa can have long-term impacts, including decreased mobility due to scarring and chronic intense pain. An estimated 4% of the global population is living with hidradenitis suppurativa and women are three times more likely than men to develop the condition.