The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) champions the importance of skin health globally and represents dermatology at the highest level through its “official relations” status with the World Health Organization (WHO). With 217 member societies from 104 countries, it represents more than 200,000 dermatologists worldwide and continues to grow.
2024 was yet another busy year as the ILDS delivered a wide range of global activities and initiatives, including:
Strengthening Global Dermatology Education and Care
In January 2024, the ILDS launched its first Global Partnerships for Education and Care Programme, bringing together 12 selected dermatology institutions to form six international partnerships. This two-year initiative aims to evaluate dermatological education and care standards worldwide by fostering mutual learning through virtual training and in-person exchanges. Each institution within the partnerships receives a US$10,000 grant to support these activities. The 2024 program includes partnerships among institutions from the USA, Ecuador, Mexico, Nepal, India, Indonesia, Switzerland, Colombia, Hungary, and Serbia. Applications for the 2026 group will open in 2025, with dermatology departments and existing partnerships globally encouraged to apply.
Calling for Skin Diseases to Be Recognized as a Global Health Priority at the World Health Assembly (WHA)
In May, the ILDS and the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Associations (Global Skin) jointly hosted an important side-meeting during the annual World Health Assembly (WHA) in Switzerland. The meeting brought together policymakers, stakeholders, and other key leaders to advocate for a higher prioritization of skin diseases by Ministries of Health Worldwide. As the decision-making body of the WHO, the WHA shapes global health policy and makes decisions on international health issues. The ILDS is now working with the WHO to support the creation of a specific section on skin diseases in the WHO Global Health Observatory.
Launching the Inaugural World Skin Health Day #WSHD2024
In July, the ILDS joined forces with the International Society of Dermatology (ISD) to launch the inaugural World Skin Health Day. To mark the day (July 8), six ILDS and ISD-supported events took place around the world to encourage discussion and spur action toward the delivery of “Skin Health for All.” World Skin Health Day aims to highlight the significant impact of skin diseases, the need for more education, and the requirement for increased equity of access to treatment for patients globally. The ILDS was happy to collaborate with CeraVe Care for All on the 2024 campaign. Mark your diaries now for World Skin Health Day 2025 and contact the ILDS to see how you can get involved!
Inviting Applications for New ILDS DermImpact Grants
In August, the ILDS launched its DermImpact Grants Programme, which will support projects, often led by a member society or partner organization, to offer sustainable improvements in dermatological care in underserved communities next year. Through the International Foundation for Dermatology (IFD), ILDS will support three projects with grants to the value of US$10,000 per year each for two years. Recipients will be selected by the ILDS IFD, with the successful applicants announced by early 2025. The DermImpact Grants Programme complements the ILDS’ existing annual DermLink grants. These support projects that are endorsed by an ILDS member society to help dermatologists and healthcare workers to improve the care they provide to their patients.
Donating US $1 Million to Enhance Dermatology Training for the Pacific Island Nations
In September, the ILDS announced a donation of US$1million to train additional doctors and health workers and improve clinical facilities at the Pacific Dermatology Training Centre in Fiji. The funding is being used to increase access to care and improved treatment for individuals living with skin diseases throughout the region, which includes Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, and other Pacific Island Nations.
Launching the Global Access to Skin Health Observatory
In October, the ILDS joined forces with L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty to announce a landmark study into the availability and accessibility of dermatological services across all 194 WHO member countries. While access to dermatologic care has been studied in some countries or regions, there is still no consistent worldwide data. As the first global survey of its kind, it will canvass key stakeholders to gather data on topics including the global distribution of dermatologists, patient barriers to accessing dermatologic care, and access to surrogate skin health providers in so-called “dermatological deserts.”
This collaboration is a groundbreaking effort to systematically assess global access to skin health to improve care for all. An impressive number of responses has already been received and, in the second half of 2025, a second arm of the study will be launched to gain feedback directly from patients, the public, and healthcare workers.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the ILDS, The Dermatology Digest®’s newest strategic media partner.
