Skin Diseases as a Global Public Health Priority - 77th World Health Assembly Side Event, May 29th 2024

This event held during the 77th World Health Assembly, was organized by the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations (GlobalSkin), with support from the Anesvad Foundation and the World Skin Health Coalition (WSHC). It was attended by over 75 global health advocates, representatives from the Ministries of Health in Panama, Cote d’Ivoire, and Nepal, patient advocates, health care professionals and attendees from the World Health Organization.

The side-event emphasized the burden of skin diseases on individuals and impacts on public health systems, urging Ministries of Health to increase their prioritization. The event highlighted that 'Universal Health Coverage' cannot be truly universal without addressing skin health.

Presentations were made by both host organisations, ministry of health representatives, WHO representatives, and patient representatives. Powerful personal testimonies were shared by patient advocates from the United States, France, South Africa, and the Philippines, each representing perspectives of different skin diseases and conditions.

Data presented demonstrated there are over 3,000 distinct skin diseases affecting not just the skin, but also the mucosae, nails, and/or hair. These conditions impact over three billion people globally across all age groups. In 2021, 4.69 billion new cases were diagnosed, and they rank as the world’s fourth leading cause of non-fatal burden and the top 10 causes of disability.

Presentations highlighted the challenges faced by those in need of dermatological care. Skin diseases rank among the most common reasons people seek help from healthcare providers, showing the significance of the burden. There are gaps in primary care, as dermatology training in many medical schools is either inadequate or non-existent, and with many of the world’s current practitioners being aged 55 or over there are currently too few in training to replace them. Consequently, many patients experience long wait times to see a dermatologist. In high-income countries, the wait can extend up to 12 months, while patients in many middle- or low-income countries may never access this specialist care.

Crucial calls to action were outlined, aimed at fostering improvement in global skin health for all attendees and Ministries of Health worldwide. These encompassed urging for a comprehensive focus on all skin diseases, advocating for dedicated health investments to enhance expertise among primary healthcare workers, supporting the expansion of research capacity in skin diseases, strengthening the WHO's role in promoting coordinated data collection and healthcare training, and elevating the importance of skin diseases in policymaking, fostering greater collaboration among affected individuals, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to enact meaningful change.