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Date of issue: April 2026
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Dear ILDS Members, friends and colleagues,
It has already been a remarkable start to the year for the ILDS, marked by meaningful progress, collaboration, and renewed energy with our member societies and partners.
In April, key officers from the ILDS carried out our annual visit to Geneva for a series of meetings with the World Health Organization. These discussions were an important step in strengthening collaboration and reinforcing the role of dermatology within the global health agenda. Building these relationships is essential as we work together to address the burden of skin disease and improve access to care worldwide.
I was also thrilled to attend AAD Annual Meeting in March in Denver, Colorado. I had the honour of engaging with many of you during the meeting and witnessing firsthand the innovation and dedication that continue to shape our field. I was also truly humbled to receive the AAD Gold Medal, the highest award bestowed by the AAD, during the meeting. This recognition is not mine alone. It has only been made possible thanks to the guidance of my mentors, the collaboration of my colleagues and the support I’ve received from my family.
As we continue to build on our mission through impactful initiatives, strengthened partnerships, and ongoing advocacy efforts, I encourage each of you to get involved in the many projects and programmes of the ILDS and IFD, some highlighted in this edition. Your voice and participation are essential to shaping the future of our organisation and the global dermatology community.
Thank you for your continued dedication and support. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the months ahead.
With warm personal greetings,
Just launched - ILDS Dermatology Training Hub
We are thrilled to launch our free online learning platform designed to expand access to dermatology education worldwide.
The platform, known as the ILDS Dermatology Training Hub, provides practical, expert-led courses for healthcare professionals, aimed at improving the prevention, recognition and management of skin conditions affecting people in all regions of the world.
Access to specialist dermatology care remains highly uneven. In some parts of the world there is less than one dermatologist per million people, leaving many patients without access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The ILDS Dermatology Training Hub has been developed to address this gap by making high-quality dermatology education freely available online. New courses will be added regularly and certificates on completion of courses will be available.
World Skin Health Day 2026
Skin disease affects more than 2 billion people globally at any given time, while many lack proper access to dermatological care. In some regions, people may travel many hours to reach the nearest skin health clinic, and some countries have fewer than one dermatologist per million population.
World Skin Health Day is a global initiative led by the ILDS and the International Society of Dermatology, held each year on 8 July to highlight the importance of skin health and inspire action worldwide.
The 2026 theme, Better Knowledge for Better Skin Health, focuses on how education and shared learning can strengthen health systems, improve access to care, and support better outcomes for people everywhere.
Taking part in World Skin Health Day helps raise awareness of the global burden of skin disease, supports underserved communities, and promotes access to education and care where it is needed most.
Together, we can recognise the importance of skin health and help create a healthier future for people around the world.
Updates from the ILDS Secretariat
Earlier this year, the ILDS announced its role as a key contributor to a new Commission on Skin Health convened by The Lancet.
This landmark initiative is the first time the publication, one of the world’s most influential medical journals, has focused one of its highly-regarded Commissions entirely on skin health. Find out more.
The ILDS Annual General Meeting 2026 will take place online on Wednesday 2 September 2026 at 12:00pm GMT. The meeting will be followed by an ILDS Members Forum.
Make sure you save the date and keep an eye on your inbox for further details including agenda and how to register.
ILDS President, Prof Henry W. Lim has been honoured with the American Academy of Dermatology's prestigious Gold Medal, the Academy’s highest honour to recognise outstanding and exceptional service to the specialty of dermatology. Prof Lim received the award on 26 March during the 2026 AAD Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. Find out more.
The 5th Multi-Stakeholder Summit on Occupational Skin Cancer will take place on 2 October 2026 in Vienna, Austria, during the EADV Congress. Jointly hosted by EADV, EADO, ILDS, ACD, ÖGDV, ICOH, ISSA, GlobalSkin, Hautnetz Hamburg e. V., NIB, and the Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine, Osnabrück University, the summit brings together global experts to address one of the most overlooked risks to skin health. Click here to find out more.
The unseen challenges of skin disease - Expanding our access: Why greater awareness and support for those living with skin conditions matters. New film produced for L'Oréal Dermatological Beauty by BBC Story Works, featuring Dr Esther Freeman and Prof Ncoza Dlova:
Watch the mini documentary here
In the UK? Watch here
Grand Challenges in Global Skin Health
Under the umbrella of the ILDS, and in collaboration with the International Eczema Council (IEC), GlobalSkin, and the International Society of Atopic Dermatitis (ISAD), the Global Atopic Dermatitis Atlas was established in 2022 to compile comprehensive data on atopic dermatitis worldwide.
Watch this new video to hear more about the origins and goals of the Atlas from Director, Prof Carsten Flohr. Watch the film.
Webinars
Please find links to upcoming and previous webinars from the ILDS Education Committee and beyond. All upcoming webinars will be recorded and added to our playlist on the ILDS YouTube channel. Click here to view.
We are pleased to introduce the Global Dermato-Epidemiology Forum (GDEF) - a new collaborative initiative bringing together dermatology, epidemiology, and public health to strengthen the global evidence base for skin diseases and support translation into policy and practice. Click here to find out more from Prof Carsten
Flohr.
As part of this initiative, we are launching the GDEF Seminar Series, a bi-monthly global programme featuring expert talks, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focused on advancing dermato-epidemiology and its application to policy. The series will explore epidemiology of skin diseases across diverse populations, the burden of skin disease and data gaps, methods and innovation in dermato-epidemiology and policy translation and implementation.
Join the first seminar: Setting the Scene for Global Dermato-Epidemiology
📆 30 April 2026 | 🕐 13:00 (GMT+1)
Artificial intelligence is already beginning to influence the way dermatology is practised, taught and delivered. How should our specialty respond? During Skin Cancer Awareness Month, join us for a focused online webinar exploring where AI is creating real opportunities in dermatology, where caution is needed, and what these developments may mean for clinicians, societies and the wider profession.
📅 29 May 2026 | 🕛 12:00-13:00 GMT
ON DEMAND: This ILDS Global Leadership in Dermatology webinar featured Prof Roy Chan (National Skin Centre, Singapore), a renowned dermatologist, global HIV advocate, and former Olympic swimmer. Prof Chan has played a pivotal role in advancing dermatology leadership worldwide, including leading the organisation of the 2023 World Congress of Dermatology.
Welcome to our new Members
We are delighted to welcome the following societies to the ILDS!
To find ILDS Members from around the world, click here to view the ILDS Member Directory.
International Foundation of Dermatology
The 1st Pacific Islands Dermatology Conference is an international scientific meeting bringing together dermatology specialists, clinicians, researchers, policymakers and healthcare professionals. During the conference, the programme will explore current research, clinical updates and evidence-based approaches addressing dermatological health within Pacific communities. Participants will be able to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, develop professionally and support regional collaboration. The conference will be held from 18-19 June 2026 under the theme "Advancing Skin Health for Pacific Communities", in Suva, Fiji. Click here to find out more and register.
The World Forum on Skin Cancer Prevention and Management in Persons with Albinism has highlighted practical actions, shared priorities and the importance of continued collaboration. Held in Cape Town, South Africa, the meeting brought together dermatologists, public health experts, advocates, researchers, policymakers and people with lived experience from 30 countries. The forum created an important platform to share expertise, highlight successful models of care and identify practical priorities for future action. Click here to read the full report.
The Regional Dermatology Training Centre (RDTC) in Moshi, Tanzania has become a leading African hub for dermatology training, clinical care, and research, building a skilled healthcare workforce and expanding access to essential skin disease services across underserved communities in sub-Saharan Africa. A new article, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in March 2026, provides valuable insight into the work of a passionate team addressing critical healthcare gaps, and striving to strengthen health systems in resource-limited settings. Read the article here.
ILDS Engagement with the WHO
On 14 and 15 April, ILDS was at World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters representing global dermatology in our annual collaboration meetings with WHO technical units and partner organisations, including International Labour Organization and International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Across two days and nine sessions, we advanced discussions on access to medicines and treatments, skin cancer prevention, neglected tropical diseases, emerging infections, ICD-11 coding, occupational skin health, and strengthening dermatologic care worldwide. These meetings are a core part of how we ensure skin health remains part of the global health agenda.
Representing ILDS were Board Members, External Advisors, Global Dermatology Atlas Leads and ILDS staff, joined by GlobalSkin representatives to ensure the patient voice was well represented in all discussions. Find out more.
Have your say: Global Action Plan on Skin Diseases - Public Consultation now open!
The World Health Organization has opened a public consultation on the draft Global Action Plan on Skin Diseases as a Global Health Priority. This landmark plan aims to strengthen prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care for skin diseases worldwide.
Input from the global skin health community is essential.
We encourage dermatologists, researchers, patient organisations, policymakers, and advocates to review the draft and share feedback before the consultation closes. Deadline: 10 May 2026.
News from our Partner - GLODERM
Looking for mentorship to take your work further in global health dermatology? Designed for dermatology trainees and dermatologists working in resource-limited settings, this 12-month programme offers one-to-one mentorship, leadership training, and the opportunity to connect with a small, global cohort of peers.
You will gain practical skills, build confidence, and be supported to move your work forward in your own setting - while becoming part of a global network that continues beyond the programme. If you are ready to grow your impact (or know someone who is) we encourage you to apply and share this opportunity.
Thank you to our long-term supporter, CeraVe Care for All initiative, for the generous funding that makes this programme possible.
Big conversations. Real perspectives. Global voices.
This scientific meeting brings together international experts to explore two critical areas: advancing global skin health equity, and the road from resolution to real-world implementation.
Watch the full GLODERM Pre-AAD Scientific Meeting 2026 at your own pace. If you are interested in where dermatology is heading - this is worth your time.
World Congress of Dermatology
Follow the World Congress of Dermatology 2027 (WCD2027) on social media and sign up to the newsletter! Be the first to know about the programme, special rates for ILDS Members and more!
Registration to attend WCD2027 in Guadalajara, Mexico, is now open to all delegates. Details regarding registration categories, applicable fees, and registration policies are available here. ILDS Members are still encouraged to register early and benefit from preferential ILDS Member registration rates and early bird fees (for a limited period only).
Are you an ILDS Member organisaton interested in taking part in Dermathon? Dermathon connects dermatology societies through a friendly digital challenge, built around participation, creativity and collaboration. Showcase your Society’s strengths on a global stage - with different categories recognising different strengths, every Society has the opportunity to be seen, valued and recognised.
On International Women's Day, WCD2027 recognised the women in dermatology who lead with vision, inspire excellence and empower the next generation.
"What does female leadership in science mean today?" Hear from distinguished dermatologists representing the female leadership of WCD2027 and the ILDS. Their reflections highlight the strength, responsibility and global diversity of women shaping the field.
Events
Upcoming ILDS and Member events can be found below. Visit our events page for more information.
*Terms and conditions apply (see form for more details). Any request received may be considered by the ILDS before publication.
Important dates
30 April 2026
First seminar of the Global Dermato-Epidemiology Forum
8 May 2026
Deadline for GLODERM Mentee 2027 applications
10 May 2026
Deadline to submit your views for the WHO Global Action Plan on Skin Diseases
29 May 2026
Artificial Intelligence in Dermatology webinar
18-19 June 2026
1st Pacific Dermatology Conference in Suva, Fiji
8 July 2026
World Skin Health Day
2 September 2026
ILDS Annual General Meeting 2026 and Member Forum
2 September 2026
ILDS Member Forum
2 October 2026
5th Multi-Stakeholder Summit on Occupational Skin Cancer
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