A study funded by L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty and conducted by the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) has highlighted significant inequities in access to dermatological care worldwide. The research, which spans 158 countries and covers 97% of the global population, shows stark contrasts between high-income and low-income nations regarding dermatological services. It identifies 'dermatological deserts' where 79% of dermatologists are located in urban settings, even in wealthier countries.
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Myriam Cohen-Welgryn, president of L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty, emphasized the company's commitment to improving access to skin health, stating, "L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty is committed to increasing access to skin health in the world and supporting the dermatologists and healthcare workers driving change around the world – because access to skin health should be a right, not a privilege."
Dr. Guenolee De Lambert, global medical projects director at L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty, discussed the implications of these findings for the dermocosmetics industry, which increasingly focuses on health rather than beauty. She noted that L’Oréal aims to bridge these equity gaps through public-private partnerships and recognized the necessity for collaboration within the healthcare ecosystem.
The Global Access to Skin Health Observatory Study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Dermatology, assessed the distribution of dermatologists, barriers to access, and the availability of training and specialist services. De Lambert pointed out that while skin health is gaining recognition as a public health issue, only one in six countries has adequate dermatologist availability to meet their population's needs, with 74% lacking skin health as a government priority.
Wealthier nations have nearly nine times the number of dermatologists compared to lower-income ones. Globally, there are 2.66 dermatologists per 100,000 people, which is below the estimated requirement of 5.63 per 100,000. In low-income countries, only 0.37 dermatologists per 100,000 people are available, compared to 5.05 in high-income countries, with no nations in Africa or Southeast Asia reaching the acceptable benchmark.
De Lambert stated that addressing these inequalities demands active collaboration between companies, medical experts, and health organizations. L’Oréal’s Act For Dermatology program, developed with ILDS and other organizations, aims to create a global benchmark and scorecard to track advancements in skin health access over time.
Dr. Esther Freeman, the principal investigator of the study, affirmed that location should not dictate access to skin care. She called for a united effort to tackle these disparities, underscoring the importance of transforming anecdotal evidence into actionable data. De Lambert added that creating awareness about the significance of skin health and the urgency of proper care is essential, as one in four people suffers from skin diseases, marking a critical public health crisis.