A TURNING POINT FOR SKIN HEALTH: WHAT THE WHA'S LAND MARK RESOLUTION ON SKIN DISEASES MEANS FOR THE WORLD

For the first time in its history, the 78th World Health Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution titled 'Skin diseases as a global public health priority', reflecting a growing global recognition that skin health is central to the well-being and dignity of populations across every region

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On May 24, 2025, something unprecedented happened: for the first time in history, the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) unanimously adopted a resolution titled 'Skin diseases as a global public health priority'. This long-overdue resolution marks a significant shift in how the world understands skin health, not only as a cosmetic issue, but as a core component of global public health, social equity, and human dignity.

How this resolution came about

The road to this resolution was paved through years of advocacy, cross-sector partnerships, and irrefutable data. Despite affecting an estimated 1.9 billion people worldwide, skin diseases have remained chronically underfunded and neglected, especially in lowand middle-income countries. This landmark resolution, jointly sponsored by Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Togo, and Micronesia, and others, supported by the International League of Dermatologic Societies (ILDS), the world’s largest alliance of dermatology organizations marks a pivotal moment in recognising skin diseases as a global public health priority. It reflects a growing global recognition that skin health is central to the well-being and dignity of populations across every region.

Understanding the impact of the sun on the skin

Voices from the global south

The urgency of this resolution is especially pronounced in low-resource settings where dermatologic care is inaccessible and stigma remains high. Folakemi Cole-Adeife, consultant physician and dermatologist at LASUTH (Lagos State University Teaching Hospital), Nigeria, underscores the significance of this moment. “This historic step will be positively pivotal for skin healthcare worldwide,” she says. “Skin diseases, though often overlooked, carry immense morbidity, stigma, and socioeconomic burden, particularly in LMICs (low and middle income countries).”