WPA Welcomes Landmark WHA Resolution on Skin Diseases as a Global Public Health Priority
WPA celebrates the adoption of the resolution recognizing skin diseases as a global public health priority by the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly 2025. This milestone decision highlights the urgent need to address the heavy burden of skin conditions that impact millions of patients worldwide.
The resolution marks a significant step toward reducing stigma, discrimination, and emotional distress faced by people living with skin diseases. Skin conditions often carry profound social and mental health implications, yet awareness and resources to tackle them remain limited.
Key Highlights of the Resolution:
• Recognizes that skin diseases are highly visible and can lead to stigma and discrimination
• Acknowledges that skin signs often provide early clues to many diseases, aiding timely diagnosis and treatment
• Highlights the low awareness of skin diseases among both health workers and the general public
• Emphasizes the importance of strong surveillance systems to understand the real burden of these conditions
• Points out that a small number of common skin diseases account for most cases and can be effectively managed at the primary care level
The Resolution Calls For:
• Coordinated country-level action across all skin diseases
• Strengthened financing and human resources for diagnosis, treatment, and care
• Improved surveillance systems and data collection
• Capacity-building and training of health workers
• Access to essential medicines and laboratory diagnostic capacities
• Integration of skin disease programs with other health services
• Innovative service delivery models that reach underserved communities
• Research to close gaps in knowledge and care
WPA’s Perspective:
• Patients living with skin diseases often experience profound emotional distress and social isolation
• Stigma associated with visible conditions like vitiligo, psoriasis, leprosy, and eczema can devastate lives
• With proper training and medicines, local health teams can manage many skin diseases effectively, improving both health and dignity for patients
• Addressing skin diseases at the primary care level is essential to achieving universal health coverage
WPA Urges:
• Governments to prioritize skin diseases in national health plans and budgets
• WHO to accelerate its work in supporting countries to integrate skin health into primary care
• Donors and partners to invest in research, medicines, and capacity-building for skin diseases
• Patient organizations to be meaningfully engaged in developing policies and programs to address skin diseases
The WPA stands ready to work with WHO, governments, and partners to ensure that no patient is left behind. Skin health is not just about appearance, it is about dignity, inclusion, and quality of life.
