WHA Resolution on Skin Diseases

Côte d' Ivoire, together with Nigeria, Togo, Micronesia, Egypt, China, Ehiopia and Colomba is leading an initiative to place skin diseases firmly on the global public health agenda and have proposed a WHA Resolution on “Skin diseases as a global public health priority ”.

GlobalSkin has joined many other international organizations to call for the adoption of this resolution which represents an overdue recognition of the immense burden that skin diseases place on individuals, communities, and health systems worldwide. 

Skin diseases affect individuals of all ages and are a common reason for seeking medical help, impacting an estimated 4.69 million people globally each year. Yet, they remain disproportionately neglected in national and global health priorities. The consequences extend beyond physical suffering, with social stigma, mental health impacts, and lost productivity exacerbating inequalities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

The Skin Diseases resolution is focused on all skin diseases including including allergies, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, genetic diseases, vascular diseases, cancers, infections (viral, bacterial and fungal) and rare autoinflammatory diseases. Prioritizes the perspective of patients and their caregivers in all aspects of planning and implementation. 

• Global Action Plan to establish a framework for addressing skin diseases globally, focusing on prevention, early detection, effective treatment, and long-term care, with specific targets.
• Calls for dedicated health investment to expand expertise, particularly among primary health care workers, enabling them timely diagnosis and effective support for those living with skin diseases.
• Supports the expansion of research capacity to provide innovative diagnostic tools and new treatments.
• Promotes equitable access to cost effective, affordable and high-quality treatment
• Supports integrated services for skin diseases into current disability, rehabilitation and mental health policies

Resources have been developed to support civil society in effectively advocating for the adoption of the draft Resolution on Skin Diseases at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in May 2025. 

By targeting WHA 2025, this campaign seeks to galvanize international support for a resolution that would drive investment in resources, research, and healthcare interventions.

The core campaign objective is to raise awareness about this WHA Resolution and garner support from Members States to advance this important cause. 

By working together, we can ensure the adoption of the Skin Diseases Resolution and prioritize skin health for all.

Write to your country’s Minister of Health and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, urging them to co-sponsor and support the resolution​.
 
Access the WHO Direcory here to find your UN representative. 

Use your social media platforms to raise awareness and share stories about the impact of skin diseases.

• Draft Skin Diseases Resolution

• Key Messages

• Newsletter/Website text

• Template Letter to the Minister of Health

• Social Media Messages 

• Social Media cards and customizable card templates  

• Webinar Recording for Policy Makers (December 2024) 

• Send letters explaining the impact of skin diseases and the importance of the WHA Resolution​ in your country.

• Provide country-specific data to emphasize local relevance.

• Ask for support and co-sponsorship of the resolution 

• Ask for a meeting with the Minster to discuss your local experiences.

• Use hashtags such as #SkinDiseasesResolution, #SkinHealthForAll, and #GlobalHealth​.

• Share infographics and videos with key statistics and patient stories supporting your local circumstances​.

• Share the social media cards and messages provided above 

• Adapt the social cards into your own language and add your country context

• Share testimonials from patients and caregivers in your country to humanize the burden of skin diseases​. 

• Raise awareness about your condition in your country, through the media, using your network and call attention to the issues with the call to action of getting Health Minister to support the WHA Resolution.

• Ask your patient community to participate and spread the word!