Monday July 8, 2024 marks the first official World Skin Health Day.
Established by the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and the International Society of Dermatology (ISD) in 2013, World Skin Health Day activities have taken place on different days in different parts of the world until now.
This year marks the launch of an annual dedicated day of awareness-raising, aimed at highlighting the significant impact of skin diseases and the need for more education and increased equity of access to treatment for patients globally. CeraVe is the first official corporate partner of World Skin Health Day.
To mark the day, six events are taking place around the world to encourage discussion and spur action towards the delivery of ‘Skin Health for All’. They will also serve as examples of how individuals and organisations can get involved, both this year and in future years.
The events are as follows:
Africa: Mbeya, Tanzania: The launch of a 10-day Skin Cancer Prevention Programme, providing dermatological services to individuals with albinism at the Mbeya Regional Referral hospital and at clinics throughout the Mbeya region.
North America: Canada: An in-clinic talk on ‘teen and tween’ skincare, offering education and free dermatologist-approved products to parents and children, followed by an online forum for general practitioners
Latin America: Patagonia, Argentina: Free consultations and education for patients, healthcare workers, students and children at San Martín de los Andes Hospital bringing together dermatologists from Argentina and neighbouring countries
Europe: Hal Far, Malta: Free dermatological consultations and treatment for displaced people and vulnerable populations at migrant centres with support from cultural mediators and migrant NGOs
West/Central/South Asia: Nepal: A national campaign including outreach clinics for vulnerable populations, education for teachers and healthcare workers, as well as stakeholder meetings and a medical education session in Kathmandu
East Asia & Pacific: Australia: An online patient group forum with renowned dermatologist Dr Stephen Schumack providing a global perspective on barriers to access to dermatological care, the financial burden of skin diseases and the stigma suffered by patients. Content from the forum will inform the creation of a new report into the impact of skin diseases on patients.
The ILDS and ISD have created a range of toolkits and resources for individuals and organisations interested in supporting World Skin Health Day with their own event or activity. They are available for free download on the World Skin Health Day website.
“World Skin Health Day is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of the impact of skin diseases and to advocate for higher standards of dermatological care and improved access to it,” says ILDS President Henry W. Lim, Lim, MD, former Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, MI, in a news release. “We look forward to our first official World Skin Health Day and trust it will become a powerful platform for change in the years ahead, resulting in higher levels of understanding of skin diseases and greater investment into research and into the development of innovative diagnostic tools and new treatments.”
Dr Nellie Konnikov, MD, ISD President adds “In the past decade, World Skin Health Day has reached more than 42 million people, while providing essential dermatological care to 190,000+ patients in over 50 countries. We thank everyone who has contributed to ensure that World Skin Health Day impacts positively on people’s lives. Please join us this year by undertaking skin health related activities which raise awareness, provide care or educational opportunities to extend the reach of World Skin Health Day to further benefit individuals and communities around the world.”
