At the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) at the end of May, the member states of the WHO emphasized the global priority of skin diseases in healthcare. Skin diseases cover a broad spectrum of conditions, including infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, congenital dermatoses, chronic and rare diseases, malignant skin tumors and climate- and environment-related skin diseases.

"In the vast majority of countries, awareness of skin diseases is still low. Unfortunately, this applies to both healthcare professionals and the general public," explains Prof. John, member of the WHO committee of the global umbrella organization of dermatological societies (International League of Dermatological Societies, ILDS). According to the dermatologist from Osnabrück, this urgently needs to change. With the resolution, the member states undertake to pay particular attention to the issue of the burden of skin diseases at national level.

The resolution calls on the member states to prioritize skin diseases and provide resources for national programmes for prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Research into the epidemiology of skin diseases should be strengthened, laboratory capacities increased and the costs of these services reduced. Healthcare staff in primary care should be trained in skin diseases during their training so that they can also provide advice to patients and their relatives if necessary. Telemedicine and digital dermatology should be further developed, research into skin diseases and their prevention should be promoted and the work of patient organizations should be supported. Equal access to cost-effective, affordable and high-quality treatment - including medicines and wound care materials - is to be promoted.

Further information for editorial offices:
Prof. Dr. med. Swen Malte John, Osnabrück University
Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine, Health Theory and
Institute for Interdisciplinary Dermatological Prevention and Rehabilitation
 johnderm@uni-osnabrueck.de