Skin Diseases: A Global Public Health Priority

On 24th May 2025, the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) unanimously adopted a historic resolution titled “Skin diseases as a global public health priority”, the first resolution of its kind.

Skin diseases affect nearly 1.9 billion people worldwide, yet the sector remains significantly underfunded.

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) suffer the most from neglected skin diseases and limited access to proper dermatological care.

Key Features of the Resolution

Aspect	Details
Resolution Adopted	“Skin diseases as a global public health priority” adopted by the 78th World Health Assembly.
Adoption Date	The resolution was adopted on 24th May 2025.
Global Burden	Skin diseases affect around 1.9 billion people globally.
Most Affected Regions	Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face the highest burden of neglected skin diseases.
Public Health Significance	The resolution formally places skin health within the global public health agenda.

Common Challenges Linked to Skin Diseases

Issue	Impact
Underfunding	Despite large disease burden, skin diseases remain inadequately funded globally.
Stigma	Conditions such as psoriasis, fungal infections, and vitiligo often lead to social stigma and discrimination.
Delayed Treatment	Many skin diseases remain under-treated because of poor awareness and limited access to specialists.
Healthcare Gaps in LMICs	LMICs often face weaker screening systems, limited dermatology access, and a higher neglected disease burden.

PT Facts

World Health Assembly (WHA): Decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Medical & Social Burden: Skin diseases create both healthcare and social challenges due to stigma and delayed treatment.
LMICs: Often face limited dermatology access, weaker screening systems, and higher neglected disease burden.
Global Health Agenda: The resolution pushes skin health into the international public health framework.

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