As many as 80% of people experience skin concerns with one in four reporting experiencing a more serious skin condition, yet only 40% visit a dermatologist once a year for an annual skin check, according to a new survey from CeraVe,
When asked about their barriers to dermatological care, respondents cited long wait times (27%), lack of insurance (20%), and limited availability of dermatologists (18%) as the primary challenges. Additionally, one-third of Americans say they cannot afford dermatological care. More than half (54%) visit general healthcare providers for skin health issues, which may suggest a lack of specialized care for skin conditions, the survey showed.
The survey results were released to coincide with World Skin Health Day, a global initiative led by the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and the International Society of Dermatology (ISD). Since 2013, World Skin Health Day has been taking place across the world to raise awareness of and treat a diverse range of skin conditions. In 2024, for the first time, World Skin Health Day will be celebrated annually on July 8th. CeraVe has become the first official corporate partner of World Skin Health Day.
As part of its World Skin Health Day initiative, CeraVe is sponsoring events in North America, Argentina, Malta, Tanzania, Nepal and Australia that are driving education around the importance of equitable skin care access and helping to connect dermatologists with patients most in need. Activations in each country include training frontline hospital workers, advocacy outreach to local government and specialty care offerings for patients experiencing various skin health conditions.
Within the United States, CeraVe has called on dermatologists to take action by becoming a “Derm Changemaker” and offering free skin checks in their local communities. Through the brand’s existing partnership with the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC), CeraVe and NAFC are welcoming dermatologists on July 8 in select clinics nationwide to make skincare more accessible to the patients and communities they serve.
Joining this movement is Dustin Portela, DO, a Meridian, ID-based dermatologist, who will volunteer his time at his local NAFC clinic, The Marie Blanchard Friendship Clinic, in Boise on July 8th.
“When I was in medical school, I treated a patient experiencing homelessness, and I knew in that moment that I wanted to provide free care to people who needed it,” says Dr. Portela in a news release. “My goal as a doctor has always been to give care to those who need it most. Volunteering with NAFC and CeraVe on World Skin Health Day is one way I’m living that commitment to make sure that I’m offering care beyond those who see me in the office so that I can give back to my community and make a lasting impact on skin health, and hopefully, inspiring other dermatologists to become changemakers alongside us.”
Patients who would like to visit an NAFC clinic on World Skin Health Day can visit CeraVeForWorldSkinHealth.com/MySkinHealth to find the nearest location offering skin checks. For those in the New York metro area, CeraVe employees will also be volunteering alongside dermatologists at the Brooklyn Free Clinic at the University Hospital of Brooklyn. CeraVe is offering educational training to the clinic volunteers on World Skin Health Day to help encourage long-term skin health care. Consumers can visit between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM EST for free skin check appointments, skin health education, and fun games and prizes.
About the Survey
This survey was conducted online by Material among 1,002 US adults ages 18+ May-June 2024.
