More than 2 billion people worldwide live with some type of skin disease. Despite being among the top ten causes of disability globally, 74% of nations recognize that skin health is not a governmental priority.
This is revealed by the Global Access to Skin Health Observatory Study, the first comprehensive global assessment on the subject, a result of the collaboration between the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty through its Act For Dermatology initiative. Published in the prestigious medical journal JAMA Dermatology, the report analyzes 158 countries that account for 97% of the world's population.
A Critical Gap Between Rich and Poor Nations
The study sets a technical threshold for adequate dermatological care: 5.63 specialists per 100,000 inhabitants. However, the planetary average is only 2.66 dermatologists, leaving 80% of countries below the recommended minimum.
The disparity by income level is particularly alarming: high-income countries average 5.05 professionals per 100,000 people, compared to just 0.37 in disadvantaged economies. In fact, prosperous nations are almost nine times more likely to have an adequate ratio. Currently, no country in Africa or Southeast Asia reaches the benchmark level.
The study's comparisons powerfully illustrate this structural gap:
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Australia versus Niger (both with approximately 27 million inhabitants): Australia has more than 600 dermatologists; Niger, only 18.
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Japan versus Ethiopia (both with approximately 130 million inhabitants): Japan exceeds 7,000 specialists, while Ethiopia barely reaches 200.
Added to this is the alarming lack of specialized services: in economically disadvantaged countries, 90% report critical deficiencies in areas such as pediatric dermatology, dermatological surgery, or dermatopathology.