National Eczema Association Reveals State-by-State Atopic Dermatitis Data
Why this report matters
If you or someone you care for has itchy, red, or flaky skin, you may be familiar with eczema. One common type is atopic dermatitis (AD). The National Eczema Association (NEA) recently released a detailed look at how AD shows up across the United States, and Tenesha Wallace Hood, MA, the NEA’s director of healthcare provider engagement, talked about the findings in a recent interview.
The report, called the State of AD 2026 National Indicator Report, pulls together billing and encounter records from commercial insurance, Medicare fee-for-service, and Medicaid. The NEA also produced state-by-state briefs for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The goal was to create one clear, shared picture of who is getting diagnosed, where people get care, and how treatment and access to specialists vary around the country.
A plain-language summary
In short: the report gives doctors, public health officials, and policymakers the same set of numbers to work from. That shared baseline can help clinicians spot and treat AD earlier, help local health planners make better choices, and guide efforts to reduce gaps in care for communities most affected by AD.
How the data was put together
Previous sources like surveys and smaller studies each told part of the story, but they couldn’t be compared easily across age groups, types of insurance, and different places. NEA worked with the consulting firm Milliman to build a baseline that can be looked at nationally, by state, and by urban versus rural areas. The data comes from claims and encounter records, which show when people seek care and what codes or prescriptions are recorded.
Diagnosed prevalence vs. everyone with AD
The report estimates that about 2.3% of people in the U.S. have a recorded diagnosis of AD, which is roughly 6.9 million people. That number describes who has interacted with the healthcare system and received a diagnosis that shows up in claims data. It does not count everyone who may have AD.
Surveys and other studies have often reported higher rates. That difference probably happens for a few reasons: people with mild symptoms may never see a clinician, some people may have trouble getting a formal diagnosis, and others face barriers to care such as cost, transportation, or lack of nearby specialists. NEA emphasizes that AD is likely undercounted and its impact underappreciated.
What the findings about systemic steroids mean
The report also noticed patterns in prescriptions for systemic steroids (steroid pills or injections that affect the whole body). Wallace Hood points out that claims data can tell us what medicines were filled but not why a clinician chose them. That means the results are a prompt to look more closely, not a judgment about individual care decisions.
There are several reasons systemic steroids might appear in AD-related records. People with severe AD may need stronger treatment, and systemic steroids might sometimes be used briefly. Also, these medicines can be prescribed for other conditions that often occur with AD, like asthma. The finding raises a broader question: are people with AD getting timely care that follows current guidelines? NEA plans to keep supporting education, awareness, and advocacy to help improve access and care quality.
How this report might affect patients
For people with AD and their families, the report’s practical value is that it points to places where care could improve. Local public health teams can use the state briefs to understand needs in their area. Doctors and clinics can see patterns in diagnosis and treatment and consider whether they are reaching patients early enough. Advocates can use the data to argue for better access to specialists and up-to-date treatments.
When to see a doctor
If your skin is frequently itchy, red, scaly, weepy, or painful, or if symptoms are interfering with sleep, school, work, or daily life, talk with a healthcare provider. If you notice signs of infection (increased pain, warmth, pus, or fever), sudden worsening, bleeding, or rapidly spreading rash, seek medical attention promptly. Treatment choices and timing are best discussed with your clinician or a dermatologist.
Keeping track of visible changes
It can help to document changes in your skin over time with photos or a symptom diary. That information may make it easier to describe flare patterns and triggers to your clinician and help guide treatment decisions.
Short disclaimer
This article summarizes a discussion with an NEA representative about the State of AD 2026 report and the data it used. It is not medical advice. Treatment decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Sources
- Hansen D, Bazell C, Pelizzari P, McPherson R. The State of Atopic Dermatitis in the United States. National Eczema Association. (Source: National Eczema Association, The State of Atopic Dermatitis in the United States). Accessed October 5, 2026.