Skin Diseases as Global Public Health Priority | 20 Jun 2025

Source: TH

The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), for the first time, recognised skin health as a global priority by adopting the resolution ‘Skin diseases as a global public health priority’. 

• This resolution was led by countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Togo, redefining skin health as a global public health, equity, and dignity issue, shifting it beyond cosmetic concerns and spotlighting a burden affecting 1.9 billion people, especially in low- and middle-income nations (LMICs). 

Key Highlights of WHA Resolution on Skin Health 

• Global Action Plan: A Global Action Plan will be developed by WHA-80 (2027) with a focus on prevention, early detection, treatment, and enhancing environmental resilience. 
• Surveillance & Diagnostics: Emphasises strengthening disease surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and addressing Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate-linked skin conditions. 
• Global Cooperation: WHO resolution urges integration of skin disease care into primary health systems, promotion of inclusive research (especially for skin of colour and neglected diseases), improved access to treatments, and development of national registries and frontline capacity. 
  • India, with its high skin disease burden, can leverage this to strengthen public dermatologic care, boost research, expand primary care training, and advocate for insurance coverage. 

World Health Assembly (WHA) 

• It is the decision-making body of WHO which meets annually in Geneva to set policies, oversee financial administration, and approve the programme budget, playing a vital role in shaping global health priorities and coordinating international health responses.