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. 2017 Sep;6(3):204-210.
doi: 10.1007/s13671-017-0192-7. Epub 2017 Aug 7.

Global Burden of Skin Disease: Inequities and Innovations

Divya Seth  1 , Khatiya Cheldize  2   3 , Danielle Brown  4 , Esther F Freeman  3
Affiliations

Global Burden of Skin Disease: Inequities and Innovations

Divya Seth et al. Curr Dermatol Rep. 2017 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of review: We review the current understanding of the burden of dermatological disease through the lens of the Global Burden of Disease project, evaluate the impact of skin disease on quality of life in a global context, explore socioeconomic implications, and finally summarize interventions towards improving quality of dermatologic care in resource-poor settings.

Recent findings: The Global Burden of Disease project has shown that skin diseases continue to be the 4th leading cause of nonfatal disease burden world-wide. However, research efforts and funding do not match with the relative disability of skin diseases. International and national efforts, such as the WHO List of Essential Medicines, are critical towards reducing the socioeconomic burden of skin diseases and increasing access to care. Recent innovations such as teledermatology, point-of-care diagnostic tools, and task-shifting help to provide dermatological care to underserved regions in a cost-effective manner.

Summary: Skin diseases cause significant non-fatal disability worldwide, especially in resource-poor regions. Greater impetus to study the burden of skin disease in low resource settings and policy efforts towards delivering high quality care are essential in improving the burden of skin diseases.

Keywords: Dermatoepidemiology; Dermatology; Global health; Health Equity; Point of Care Diagnostics; Task Shifting.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Targets for Improved Dermatological Care
For resource-poor regions, targets to achieve and barriers to overcome co-exist at three levels of engagement, from the international stage to local communities.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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