Dear GlobalSkin Members,
I’m excited to look back on how much GlobalSkin has already accomplished this year. With 198 members from 65 countries representing 54 disease areas, together we have begun to change the myths and misperceptions about the true burden of dermatological diseases. GlobalSkin understands that patients need a global voice in advocating for improved access to care and treatment and we are committed to improving the lives of all patients worldwide through research, advocacy, and support.
We have been hard at work developing our five-year Strategic Plan that will carry our organization forward. With the help of our Members and partners, GlobalSkin’s vision of a world where people with dermatological conditions are healthy and fulfilled is clearer than ever. I am confident that we can attain this by coming together to:
- Elevate the voice of the global dermatology patient community
- Champion the common interests of people affected by dermatological conditions globally
- Unite global dermatology stakeholders to bring about transformative change for patients
GlobalSkin has made huge strides already. Our ground-breaking patient-led research will help create a greater understanding across dermatological conditions. I’m happy to share that the Global Research on the Impact of Dermatological Diseases (GRIDD) project is in the final stages of creating a new impact measure in dermatology. The Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure will quantify the true impact of what it is like for those of us living with a skin disease.
Over and above that, GlobalSkin led the founding of the Global Dermatology Coalition earlier this year. The Global Dermatology Coalition is a multi-stakeholder group of 22 like-minded organizations focused on putting medical dermatology on the global health agenda. The Coalition seeks to improve patient outcomes globally by raising awareness of the impact of dermatological diseases and increasing healthcare prioritization.
As the GlobalSkin team shared the news of these plans and accomplishments with healthcare professionals and industry representatives at the recent European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Milan, Italy, the enthusiasm was palpable. It was a privilege to bring attention to the work we and our members are undertaking to improve the lives of patients living with dermatological diseases.
There is still much work to be done. I want to thank you for your trust and helping us shape what the future will look like for people living with dermatological conditions. Collectively, we are empowering people living with dermatological conditions, informing healthcare decisions, elevating disease prioritization, and amplifying disease awareness!
Gratefully,
Marc Yale
GlobalSkin Board President
