The Global Dermatology Coalition, a patient-led, multi-stakeholder group of organizations, has launched during the 75th World Health Assembly in Geneva. The Global Dermatology Coalition includes dermatology patient organizations, health care professionals (dermatologists and dermatology nurses), researchers, and industry. 

“Collaborative action is needed to change the difficult reality faced by skin patients and for this reason we have established the Global Dermatology Coalition. Together, our organizations are actively working to improve patient outcomes globally,” says Marc Yale, Board President of the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations (also knowns as GlobalSkin) and Chair of the Global Dermatology Coalition Steering Committee. “This would mean improved access to the diagnosis, care, treatments and support they need, when they need it – no matter where they live in the world. The Coalition speaks as one voice because people living with dermatological diseases, their caregivers and their families deserve to live without stigma, for their diseases not to be minimized and to achieve a higher quality of life.”

Diseases of the skin, mucosa, nails and/or hair are a leading cause of global disease burden (GDB), affecting nearly 900 million people in the world at any time and are the fourth most frequent cause of human illness globally. Dermatologists diagnose and treat more than 3,000 different diseases, including atopic eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, albinism, acne, alopecia and thousands of rare skin diseases. Dermatological diseases cause substantial pain, disfigurement, disability, and stigma while they also lead to serious comorbidities and significant psychological, social and financial burdens for patients and their families. Theses diseases can be inflammatory, infectious and malignant, and are among the most prevalent and disabling disorders, particularly in low resource countries. 

Formed in 2022, the Global Dermatology Coalition will advocate to the World Health Organization and other decision makers globally to elevate the healthcare prioritization of dermatological diseases.