Principal Investigator:
Thy Huynh, MD, FAAD
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Overview:
Alopecia Areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disorder causing hair loss, affecting about 2% of the population, often starting in childhood. Managing AA is tough, with treatments having side effects and the condition often coming back. AA not only affects physical appearance but also mental health, leading to anxiety and depression. Parents of children with AA also go through emotional stress, trying to find the right treatments and seeing their child struggle. Unfortunately, many people with AA, especially in underserved areas, don’t get the mental health help they need. Our study will look at how parents in underserved Mississippi communities cope with the emotional impact of AA. We’ll ask parents about their experiences and analyze the data to understand how they seek mental health support. By doing this, we hope to find ways to better support families dealing with AA in underserved areas, improving their overall well-being.
Status:
This project was funded by a 2023 Pediatric Alopecia Areata Challenge Grant.
