Skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body – it plays a key role in protecting other organs from the outside world, while at the same time, is vulnerable to attack from within. This vulnerability can lead to highly burdensome and sometimes lethal skin conditions.  Unfortunately, dermatological conditions do not get the global policy prioritisation they deserve, and this is having a negative impact on patients’ health and wellbeing. 

This session will focus attention on the considerable physical, emotional and social toll associated with living with a life-long skin condition and explore the wider costs for society resulting from the low policy ranking given to these conditions. We will discuss the multi-stakeholder actions needed to change this reality and highlight concrete solutions that are underway to elevate medical dermatology on the global health policy agenda.