WHO Elevates Skin Health to Global Priority
Landmark Resolution Signals New Era for Dermatology Worldwide
In a historic move, the World Health Assembly (WHA) has passed its inaugural resolution on skin disease, officially recognizing skin health as a critical global public health concern. This pivotal decision is expected to dramatically reshape how skin conditions are addressed on an international scale.
Dermatology Gains a Voice at the Highest Level
For decades, dermatology has operated without formal recognition or dedicated representation within the World Health Organization (WHO). This has meant no specific department, officer, or unit focused on skin diseases, despite their prevalence. The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS), alongside its humanitarian arm, the International Foundation for Dermatology (IFD), has been the sole consistent voice advocating for skin health within the WHO, often through its status as a non-state actor in official relations.
“This is an absolute game changer for skin health worldwide. It gives us a visa, if you will, to be able to go and talk to our member states’ ministers of health to say, ‘Look, you’ve signed up to this. How can we help you deliver it?’”
—Claire Fuller, MA, FRCP, Consultant Dermatologist and Chair of the IFD
Claire Fuller, a leading consultant dermatologist and chair of the IFD, highlighted the resolution’s significance in an interview with *Dermatology Times*. She emphasized that the WHA’s adoption of the resolution provides a clear mandate for engagement with member states’ health ministries.
New Global Framework for Skin Health
The resolution, adopted in May, formally acknowledges skin diseases for the first time in the WHO’s 78-year history. It urges member states, global stakeholders, and the WHO itself to prioritize skin health within their public health strategies. Key recommendations include developing national skin health policies, integrating skin care into primary health systems, combating the stigma associated with skin conditions, enhancing training for frontline healthcare workers, and fostering national dermatologic leadership.
“Priority steps would be to encourage member states… to draft or develop a national policy for common skin disease,” stated Fuller. She stressed the importance of accessible educational materials for healthcare providers and embedding dermatology education into primary care training to ensure workers are equipped to diagnose and manage common skin issues.
Addressing Stark Global Disparities in Care
The resolution also shines a light on the severe inequities in dermatologic care access worldwide. Fuller pointed to alarming statistics in some regions: the Solomon Islands, with nearly 900,000 people, has no dermatologists. Papua New Guinea, home to 11 million, has only two. Similarly, the Gambia, with a population of 24 million, lacks any dermatologists.
Even in well-resourced nations, access remains uneven, with urban centers often having dermatologists while rural areas are underserved. This highlights a critical workforce gap that the new resolution aims to address.
According to the latest available data, the global prevalence of skin diseases affects billions, with conditions like acne, eczema, and skin cancer being among the most common globally, yet often receiving insufficient public health attention. For example, it’s estimated that over 90% of the world’s population will experience a skin condition at some point in their lives (World Health Organization, 2023).
From Resolution to Tangible Action
With the resolution now in place, the focus shifts to implementation and coordination at the country level. Fuller underscored that the real work involves translating the WHA’s directives into concrete actions on the ground, including advocacy, leadership development, care integration, stigma reduction, and curriculum enhancement.
