ILDS, WHO Launch Global Dermatology Training Hub to Address Care Gaps

Key Takeaways

• The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and World Health Organization (WHO) have  a free global dermatology training platform for frontline health workers
• The initiative targets gaps in access to dermatologic care, particularly in resource-limited settings
• Skin diseases remain a leading global cause of disability, affecting more than 4 billion people

The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched the ILDS Dermatology Training Hub, a free online platform aimed at expanding access to dermatology education worldwide. The initiative is designed to support frontline health workers with practical, expert-led training focused on the prevention, recognition, and management of common skin diseases, including neglected tropical diseases.

The launch comes amid increased global disparities in dermatologic care. According to estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, skin diseases rank among the top 10 causes of disability globally and affect more than 4 billion individuals. Despite this burden, dermatologic conditions remain underrepresented in health policy and funding priorities, particularly in low-resource settings where access to specialists may fall below one dermatologist per million people.

The Training Hub builds on existing WHO educational resources, which include more than 60 courses available in multiple languages and have enrolled over 70,000 learners worldwide. The new platform emphasizes regionally relevant content and flexible, on-demand access to improve workforce capacity.

“Providing better training and education is essential to improving diagnosis, treatment and patient outcomes,” said Claire Fuller, MD, Chair of the International Foundation for Dermatology, in a press release. “The ILDS Dermatology Training Hub will play an important role in equipping frontline health workers with key skills and up-to-date clinical knowledge.”

The initiative aligns with the 2025 World Health Assembly resolution recognizing skin diseases as a global public health priority and supports calls for strengthened community-based education and self-care strategies in primary care settings.