DermWorld Academy Insider: New JAAD atopic dermatitis supplement offers latest updates

Oct. 22, 2026

The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology recently published a new supplement, “Atopic dermatitis: Transforming science and patient care.” In the supplement, dermatologists can get the latest updates on this common dermatologic condition. You’ll learn to recognize comorbidities, diagnose and evaluate AD in adult and pediatric patients, identify appropriate treatment options, and recognize alternative approaches to AD management.

Members of the AAD can access this supplement through their JAAD subscription and earn up to 10 hours of continuing medical education credit for completing a post-test and evaluation survey.

In this exclusive DermWorld Academy Insider interview, Dawn Davis, MD, FAAD, and Howard Pride, MD, FAAD, co-editors of the supplement, explain the new AD supplement and why Academy members should read it.

DermWorld: Why was this supplement developed? Why the title “Transforming science and patient care?”

Dr. Davis and Dr. Pride: Dr. Pride joined on as a co-editor after the tragic passing of Dr. Robert Sidbury, who, along with Dr. Davis, was approached by the AAD to write and serve as editors of a supplement for JAAD. The supplement would bring together expert colleagues from across the world who have a passion for atopic dermatitis and would be a nice complement to the series of atopic dermatitis guidelines set to be released throughout the year. The supplement would serve as a start-to-finish look at atopic dermatitis, which is why we included topics such as comorbidities, therapies, the patient perspective, etc.

DermWorld: What can members expect to learn from the supplement?

Dr. Davis and Dr. Pride: We hope members can find a general overview from the patient and clinician perspective of what’s current with atopic dermatitis, what’s news in pathogenesis, what gaps we still have to close, what novel therapies we have, the newly recognized comorbidities, standard treatments, and a view into what’s new in the future. The more we learn about atopic dermatitis, the more we recognize that it’s a multi-system inflammatory disorder that manifests on the skin, not “just a skin disease.” The supplement is very pithy — each of the chapters is no more than a few paragraphs long. It’s very succinct and to the point in pretty much every aspect of atopic dermatitis. One of the most interesting components is the article from a patient and patient-caregiver perspective, which is quite unique as well.

DermWorld: Why should members read the supplement and take the corresponding quiz?

Dr. Davis and Dr. Pride: Our goal is for the supplement to be an easy place to access all that is current and relevant with regard to atopic dermatitis for the general dermatologist to know. We also thought it was important to include the patient and caregiver perspective, since as doctors, we aim to practice whole-person care. It’s hard to imagine anything that impacts a pediatric or general dermatology practice more than atopic dermatitis. Our patients have a high level of physical and emotional morbidity associated with this, along with many comorbidities. There are very, very few practicing dermatologists that this condition doesn’t touch. The supplement is a great reminder of what good, standard care is, as well as a view of what’s on the cutting edge for years to come.

We appreciate the American Academy of Dermatology recognizing the importance of eczema and eczema care and approaching eczema as a whole-person disease. We have gratitude to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology for allowing us to write and publish this supplement. We would encourage our research community to keep invested in advancing the science of skin and the epidemiology, bioprofiling, and treatment options for eczema. We’ve come a long way in having treatment options for patients. It is not hyperbolic to say that some of these treatments can be absolutely life-changing for patients. We are living in a wonderful age for patients who have suffered for a very long time with a terrible condition. But, we still have a long way to go, and the best way to do that is to keep learning. The more we learn, the more we realize we have more to learn.