Global dermatology access shows severe urban-rural inequalities

dermatology access skin health inequality rural healthcare gap medical workforce distribution global health disparities

A global study published in JAMA Dermatology reveals significant inequalities in access to dermatological care. Conducted by the Global Access to Skin Health Observatory—a collaboration between the International League of Societies of Dermatology (ILDS) and L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty—the research examined 158 countries, representing 97% of the world's population.

The findings show that 79% of dermatologists worldwide practice in urban areas, leaving rural populations largely underserved. Only one in six countries possesses enough dermatologists to meet the health needs of its citizens. Globally, the average number of dermatologists is 2.66 per 100,000 inhabitants, significantly lower than the recommended threshold of 5.63 per 100,000.

Economic disparities are evident, as prosperous nations are nearly nine times more likely to have adequate staffing than lower-income countries. Furthermore, 74% of surveyed countries do not list skin health as a national government priority, despite skin diseases affecting over 2 billion people globally.

In Spain, the study notes that 60% of dermatologists work in urban areas, and 20% of the profession operates within the private healthcare sector.

Entities

Global Access to Skin Health Observatory · International League of Societies of Dermatology · JAMA Dermatology · L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty · Spain

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] More than 2 billion people worldwide suffer from some type of skin disease. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.farodevigo.es · www.laopinioncoruna.es
[● 3 SOURCES] In Spain, 60% of dermatologists practice in urban areas. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.farodevigo.es · www.laopinioncoruna.es
[● 3 SOURCES] Globally, 79% of dermatologists practice in urban areas, leaving rural populations underserved. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.farodevigo.es · www.laopinioncoruna.es
[● 3 SOURCES] 74% of countries report that skin health is not a national government priority. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.farodevigo.es · www.laopinioncoruna.es
[● 3 SOURCES] In Spain, 20% of dermatologists work in the private health sector. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.farodevigo.es · www.laopinioncoruna.es
[● 3 SOURCES] Only one in six countries worldwide has a sufficient number of dermatologists to meet population needs. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.farodevigo.es · www.laopinioncoruna.es
[● 3 SOURCES] The global average is 2.66 dermatologists per 100,000 inhabitants, below the recommended 5.63. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.farodevigo.es · www.laopinioncoruna.es
[● 3 SOURCES] A global study published in JAMA Dermatology examined dermatological access across 158 countries. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.farodevigo.es · www.laopinioncoruna.es

Sources

DERMATOLOGÍA | El 79% de los dermatólogos ejerce en áreas urbanas dejando a las poblaciones rurales 'completamente desatendidas' [www.lacronicabadajoz.com]

8 days ago

DERMATOLOGÍA | El 79% de los dermatólogos ejerce en áreas urbanas dejando a las poblaciones rurales 'completamente desatendidas' [www.informacion.es]

8 days ago

DERMATOLOGÍA | El 79% de los dermatólogos ejerce en áreas urbanas dejando a las poblaciones rurales 'completamente desatendidas' [www.farodevigo.es]

8 days ago

DERMATOLOGÍA | El 79% de los dermatólogos ejerce en áreas urbanas dejando a las poblaciones rurales 'completamente desatendidas' [www.laopinioncoruna.es]

8 days ago