The International League of Dermatological Societies and Australian dermatologists join a landmark initiative to tackle the worldwide burden of skin disease.
A new Lancet Commission on Skin Health will place dermatology firmly on the global health agenda, with the International League of Dermatological Societies playing a central role in shaping its work.
Australian dermatologists Professor Victoria Mar and Associate Professor Adriene Lee, immediate past president of the Australasian College of Dermatologists are also involved in the Commission.
The initiative marks the first time the influential medical journal has dedicated one of its prestigious Commissions entirely to skin health, reflecting growing recognition that skin disease is a major public health issue affecting billions of people worldwide.
The ILDS, which represents more than 175,000 dermatologists across 110 countries, says the move signals a turning point for the specialty, as global health leaders increasingly acknowledge the scale and impact of skin conditions.
ILDS President Professor Henry W. Lim said the Commission represented long-awaited recognition of dermatology’s place within global health.
“With the establishment of The Lancet Commission on Skin Health, dermatology takes its rightful place on the global health stage, supported by one of the world’s most influential scientific voices,” he said.
Australian dermatologist and ILDS board member and treasurer, Associate Professor Stephen Shumack, agreed.
“I think the main thing that will come out of this is basically further recognition that skin health should be one of the core components of public health policy around the world, because it affects such a significant proportion of the population worldwide,” he told Dermatology Republic.
“Hopefully that will stimulate policymakers and political people to look at the issues associated with access, particularly in our area.
“We know that the Pacific Islands in particular, along with areas in Africa, are among the least serviced areas (as far as dermatology is concerned) in the world.
“The other thing of course is about not just focussing on the infective diseases like leprosy and other infections but moving towards the non-infective or non-communicable diseases like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and skin cancer amongst people with albinism.”
The Commission will be co-chaired by Professor Xiang Chen of Xiangya Hospital in China, Dr Esther Freeman of Harvard Medical School and the ILDS’ International Foundation for Dermatology, and Professor Sinead Langan of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and St John’s Institute of Dermatology in London.
Its members include experts from every region of the world, including Professor Mar and Professor Lee.
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The Commission will examine the global burden of skin disease and develop evidence-based recommendations aimed at governments, the World Health Organization and major health funders.
The goal is to ensure dermatology is recognised alongside other communicable and non-communicable diseases in health policy and funding decisions.
Skin diseases affect an estimated 4.7-4.9 billion people globally and account for a significant proportion of years lived with disability, yet fewer than half of those affected are thought to have access to adequate dermatological care.
The Commission will analyse the drivers behind this burden and propose practical strategies to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Among the issues to be explored are the epidemiological shift from infectious to chronic inflammatory and malignant skin diseases in countries undergoing rapid industrial and socioeconomic change, the stark disparities in access to dermatological care and workforce capacity worldwide, and the integration of neglected tropical diseases that present through the skin into primary health care systems.
The Commission will also investigate emerging opportunities to improve early detection of melanoma and other skin cancers, including the use of artificial intelligence and digital dermatology tools.
Central South University in Changsha, China — the primary academic host for the Commission — convened its inaugural meeting in November 2025, bringing together commissioners from countries including Australia, Brazil, India, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, the UK and the United States.
Lancet Commissions are widely regarded as among the most influential platforms in global health, assembling international experts to produce comprehensive analyses and policy recommendations that can shape WHO strategies and national health priorities.
The new Commission builds on momentum generated earlier this year when WHO member states adopted a World Health Assembly resolution formally recognising skin diseases as a global public health priority for the first time.
Dr Freeman said the collaboration provides an unprecedented opportunity to highlight the importance of skin health in overall wellbeing.
“We’re deeply grateful to The Lancet for the opportunity to underscore that skin health is integral to overall health,” she said.
“Gathering voices from across the globe provides an unparalleled opportunity to unite our perspectives and work collectively on the most pressing skin health challenges of our time.”
Professor Chen said China’s experience of rapid industrialisation and changing disease patterns could offer insights for other nations undergoing similar transitions.
“In understanding China’s unique ‘transition landscape,’ we will gain insights with broader implications to help us provide scalable, reproducible pathways to improve skin health globally,” he said.
Professor Langan said the Commission would help underline the importance of dermatology within global health policy.
“This initiative will highlight the global importance of skin health and disease,” she said.
