Dear GlobalSkin Members,

It is my pleasure to welcome Gaone Matewa (South Africa), Rowena Lou Ortiz (Philippines), and Christina Raj (India) to the GlobalSkin Board of Directors! I would also like to thank our two outgoing members, Michelle Capon and Truong Tran Hong, who sadly passed away in June. We are grateful to Michelle and Truong for their dedication and thoughtful contributions in making GlobalSkin a success. As GlobalSkin works to Elevate our members, I’m pleased to share that we have welcomed 17 new members from four new countries (Taiwan, Dominican Republic, Liberia and Gambia). This brings our total membership to 338 patient organizations from 78 countries, representing 59 disease areas! 

GlobalSkin participated in the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025, September 17–20, amplifying the patient voice and showcasing initiatives such as PRIDD and the newly adopted WHA Resolution on Skin Diseases. Through high-profile sessions, including the GRIDD Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting, the Skin Matters Reception, and a co-organized scientific program session on AI and Social Media, as well as its presence in the Patient Organization Area, GlobalSkin and its members built partnerships with clinicians, researchers, and policymakers—strengthening collaborations that will shape future initiatives.

Following the 78th World Health Assembly in May, where Member States adopted the landmark resolution “Skin Diseases as a Global Public Health Priority,” a new era has begun for the more than 2 billion people affected by skin conditions worldwide. Long under-recognized and under-resourced, skin diseases are now elevated to the level of other major health priorities, creating an unprecedented mandate for governments, health systems, and patient organizations to secure equitable access to prevention, early detection, treatment, and long-term care. 

Recently, Healthy.mt spotlighted GlobalSkin CEO Jennifer Austin in an interview on the landmark World Health Assembly resolution recognizing skin diseases a global public health priority. In the interview, Jennifer explains how this decision paves the way for a WHO Global Action Plan focused on equitable, person-centered care and the reduction of stigma. Her insights elevated the patient voice on a global stage, further strengthening GlobalSkin’s visibility, policy influence, and reach with the global media.

The World Health Organization’s landmark decision to include broad-spectrum sunscreen on its 2025 Essential Medicines Lists (EML & EMLc) marks a historic turning point for skin health worldwide. This achievement is the result of a global campaign led by the Global Albinism Alliance (GAA), the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Rights by Persons with Albinism and the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change, to ensure that people with albinism—who face a 1,000-fold higher risk of UV-induced skin cancer— can access sunscreen as a life-saving necessity rather than a luxury. GlobalSkin proudly supported these efforts by providing key endorsements that amplified the patient voice and reinforcing the urgent need for equitable access to dermatological care. 

GlobalSkin has launched the Young Patient Leader (YPL) Council and its Working Group to empower dermatology patient advocacy among youth globally. Comprised of young patient leaders aged 18-35, the Council spans 23 countries across all WHO regions and represents various skin diseases, with a core Working Group of seven advocates plus co-chairs guiding its strategy and representing diverse voices. The Council’s vision is to amplify youth advocacy, foster cross-regional collaboration, and build inclusivity, innovation, and leadership among emerging patient leaders.

A new chapter has recently unfolded for GlobalSkin Members in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific. Following a community decision at the GlobalSkin Conference held in April, members from the two regions have united to form a joint regional network. This dynamic network has so far seen Members from 14 countries and 12 different disease areas coming together under one banner. A working group has been formed that will guide the work of this network.

Building on the momentum of our Atopic Eczema Forum, which welcomed 51 patient advocates from 24 countries in April, GlobalSkin is pleased to share the newly released Atopic Eczema Forum report. It summarizes key priorities for policy action at the individual, organization, and global levels. It also outlines issues, resources, and strategies to advance treatment access, mental health support, and government recognition of Atopic Eczema. 

GlobalSkin will take part in the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) In-person Consortium Assembly Meeting in Paris, France, on 15–16 October 2025, joining global leaders dedicated to accelerating rare disease research and innovation. As a member of IRDiRC, GlobalSkin plays an active leadership role, with Programs Director Tammi Shipowick serving as Vice-Chair of the Patient Advocacy Constituent Committee (PACC). 

Following our RareDERM Forum held earlier this year, where nearly 80 patient advocates gathered in Prague, GlobalSkin has launched the official RareDERM Forum report. The publication captures key insights on the mental health and wellbeing needs of people living with rare dermatological conditions, highlights regional challenges, and outlines a community-driven Call to Action focused on expanding holistic care, combating stigma through storytelling, strengthening data systems, and building sustainable advocacy organizations.

The GlobalSkin-Europe Health Policy Influencers Forum, held on September 16 at the Hife Hotel Issy Paris, provided a dynamic platform for Members to connect and exchange strategies on advancing dermatology patient priorities. Facilitated by Alfonso Aguarón (Patvocates), over 20 Members participated in an afternoon of interactive dialogue and practical workshops.  Presenters included Jolien Van Der Geugten (Dutch Skin Association), Annemarie Sluijmers (Lupus Europe), and Jean-Marie Meurant (VIPOC). 

On September 17, GlobalSkin hosted the Skin Matters Reception in Paris, which served as a key networking highlight within the broader European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025. The event brought together over 70 participants, including leading dermatologists, patient organization representatives, researchers and industry partners. Conversations focused on the impact of the recently adopted World Health Assembly Resolution on Skin Diseases, next steps for elevating dermatology within global health policy, and opportunities to expand collaborative advocacy across Europe.

GlobalSkin participated in the 54th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR), held in Antwerp, September 10–13. The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with patient representatives, gain insights into the latest innovations in dermatology research, and engage with healthcare professionals. The conversations and ideas sparked in Antwerp will fuel GlobalSkin’s future dermatological research collaborations and strengthen our engagement with the scientific community.

GlobalSkin-Europe and the European Dermatology Forum will co-host a webinar on November 18, 2025 (13:00–15:00 CET) titled “Leveraging Teledermatology: Perspectives from Patients and Practitioners.” Registration details and the full agenda will follow soon.

GlobalSkin’s research took center stage at the 2025 EADV Congress, where we presented new data underscoring the critical connection between skin conditions and mental health. Our abstract and accompanying e-poster "Mental Health and Well-Being Support for Individuals Living with Skin Conditions: A Global Landscape Analysis of Patient Needs and Current Resources," detailed a first-of-its-kind international review of 26 patient advocacy websites and related initiatives offering mental health and well-being resources for people living with dermatological diseases. Our second poster "Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases and Mental Health" emphasized the importance of capturing the multidimensional burden of skin conditions on patients’ lives, as it is a significant risk factor for psychiatric comorbidity. Take a look at two posters presented at the EADV Congress this year.

Pierre Fabre—the first to use the PRIDD measure in a clinical trial—recently issued a news release discussing the tool’s value in quantifying how skin diseases impact quality of life. The online piece emphasizes that PRIDD is the only dermatology patient-reported outcome measure that meets all seven Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) criteria for validity and reliability.

The 2025 GlobalSkin Board Election, held in August, resulted in the re-election of Marc Yale (International Pemphigus & Pemphigoid Foundation) and welcomed three new Board Directors: Gaone Matewa (Beyond Vitiligo), Rowena Lou Ortiz (Scleroderma Awareness Philippines), and Christina Raj (Center for Ichthyosis Related Members Foundation India). These individuals will serve alongside Board Directors Guillermo Gutierrez, Ritu Jain, David McMahon, Tina Mesarič, Maya Tulpule, and Murray Turner. We extend heartfelt thanks to outgoing Directors Michelle Capon, whose six years of service included a steadfast term as Secretary, and the late Tran Hong Truong, remembered for his passionate advocacy and lasting impact. For more details, please click here.