Making Strides for Skin Health Equity in 2024: Reviewing a Year of Progress

Dermatology Times reflects on the strides made over the past year in advancing skin health equity. From addressing disparities in care for skin of color, women, and LGBTQ+ patients to improving access for underserved populations, we explore the progress, challenges, and advocacy shaping a more inclusive future in dermatology in 2024.

Improving Representation of Skin of Color in Dermatology

Miranda Uzoma Ewelukwa, MD, FAAD, reviewed how skin of color representation has evolved in dermatology, however, more advocacy is still needed.

Hair and Skin Publications From Sub-Saharan Africa Are Steadily Increasing, Researchers Report

Researchers involved in the review said this increase may help lead to more patient education and more tailored products for patients from this region.

Adewole (Ade) Adamson, MD, MPP: Systemic Racism, Patient Access, and Advancing Health Equity

Adamson shared with Dermatology Times about the significance of Vaseline's Mended Murals initiative and the role of dermatologists in improving patient access.

Delivering on Diversity in Clinical Trials: Getting Started

Susan Taylor, MD, believes in training more investigators that serve diverse populations to enhance clinical trials. Here are a few resources to get started in clinical trials.

Celebrating Women in Dermatology

Dermatology Times spoke with 5 women clinicians in the field on International Women's Day to discuss the influences and advice that brought them to where they are today.

Tapinarof Cream 1% Efficacious in Adults and Children With Skin of Color Down to 2 Years With AD

New data was presented at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.

Nicole A. Negbenebor, MD: Uplifting Women Clinicians

In celebration of Women's History Month and International Women's Day, dermatologist Nicole Negbenebor, MD, discussed her journey in the dermatology space and provided advice for young women and girls aspiring to enter the medical field.

American Academy of Dermatology Upholds Diversity Policies in Face of Anti-DEI Proposal

A vote during the annual meeting will keep DEI initiatives in place and members are awaiting news on what those initiatives will look like.

Advocating for Increased Representation of Women in Dermatology

The Bristol Myers Squibb-hosted event brought together a panel of leading women in dermatology to discuss the challenges they’ve faced and how women can support each other.

Women's Dermatologic Society: New President Shares Hopes for Enduring Positive Change on Organization and Dermatology

Dermatology Times spoke with Latanya Benjamin, MD, FAAD, FAAP, the newly-appointed president of the WDS, to discuss her hopes and goals for her presidency.

Amy Spizuoco, DO, FAOCD: Addressing STDs and Utilizing Dermatopathology With Care in Diverse Patient Populations

Spizuoco shares pearls from her sessions, "Infectious Diseases: The Story Behind STDs," and "Everything You Need to Know About Dermatopathology and the Dermatopathologist," from the Diversity in Dermatology conference.

A Spotlight on SCIN: A New Tool From Google and Researchers at Stanford Medicine

Researchers from Google and Stanford Medicine partnered to develop the Skin Condition Image Network dataset, a tool aimed at providing image resources for conditions across skin tones.

Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD: 'The Days of Paternalistic Medicine Are Gone'

Shahriari shared pearls and considerations from her sessions at the recent Diversity in Dermatology conference.

Botulinum Toxin, Dermal Fillers Generally Effective and Well-Tolerated in Skin of Color Populations

In a literature review, researchers found data supporting the efficacy and safety of fillers in patients with skin of color, particularly for populations where is there is limited data.

Experts Pen 12 Implementable Steps For Addressing Gender Inequity In Academic Dermatology

Addressing gender inequity in academic dermatology involves strengthening societies, celebrating female dermatologists, promoting leadership, and equitable representation, authors wrote.

LC-OCT Demonstrates Potential For Rapid, Effective Visualization of Inflammatory Conditions Across Skin Types

LC-OCT provided quick, noninvasive assessment of skin conditions with detailed imaging aids diagnosis and treatment, especially for patients with darker skin types.

Addressing Disparities in Skin-Aging Prevention Among Women of Color

A survey covered topics including skin-aging prevention, care-seeking behavior, trust in professionals, and more.

Colorimetric Scale Offers Practical Classification in Clinical Assessment of Skin of Color

Skin cancer risk classification lacks reliability for darker skin tones and fails in evaluating cutaneous medical conditions or cosmetic interventions, according to creators of the scale.

Study Is First to Analyze Content and Influence of Fairness Cream Commercials From South Asia

While 84% of commercials targeted female consumers and 77% utilized celebrity influence, less than half mentioned specific ingredients in skin lightening products.

Prebiotic Skin Care’s Effectiveness in AD for SOC Patients

A prebiotic cleanser and moisturizer regimen not only significantly alleviated the severity of atopic dermatitis and xerosis, but also uncovered crucial differences in symptom experiences.

Visual Racism and Racial Bias Persist in Dermoscopy Imaging

In one study, less than 5% of images from a HAM10000 database came from patients with darker skin types.

Research Finds Poor Awareness and Photoprotective Behaviors Among Individuals With Albinism in Nigeria

Individuals in Uyo, Nigeria, with albinism are at great risk of developing photodermatoses due to a lack of photoprotection and awareness of photoprotective behaviors.

Embracing Diversity and Cultural Competence

Adopting diversity management is not just a choice but a pressing need in the evolving health care landscape.

Tapinarof Cream 1% Demonstrates Efficacy in Treating Atopic Dermatitis in Young Patients with Skin of Color

Tapinarof cream 1% has proven to be an effective and safe treatment for atopic dermatitis in diverse populations, according to a poster presented at the SPD's annual meeting.

Australian Analysis Calls for Diversity in Dermatological Research

Researchers noted how historical bias in dermatology research has impacted the understanding and treatment of conditions in darker skin.

Women With Skin of Color are Underrepresented in Studies of Treatments for Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus

Topical corticosteroids are the gold standard treatment for VLS, yet women with skin of color are not represented in studies.

Navigating the Challenges of Melasma Treatment and Achieving Trial Equity in Melanin-Rich Skin

Melasma, challenging due to varied pigmentation in different skin types, requires personalized, tailored care.

Understanding Dermatological Needs of Gender-Diverse Patients

An Australian study reviewed appropriate terminology, gender affirming options, and dermatological considerations in caring for gender-diverse patients.

Chesahna Kindred, MD, MBA, FAAD: Expert Insights on Enhancing Dermatological Care for Patients with Skin of Color

Kindred spoke with Dermatology Times to discuss AbbVie's recent Science of Skin event and improving access to equitable dermatological care.

Understanding the Patient and Advocate Experience: Psoriatic Disease and Skin of Color

Brenda Kong-Tunac, a patient with PsO, PsA, and skin of color, shared her experiences.

Tailoring Aesthetic Treatments for Patients With Skin of Color

Omer Ibrahim, MD, discussed the nuances of aesthetic procedures for patients with skin of color and the importance of tailored treatments, safety, and improved clinician education.

Significant Disparities Persist in Cutaneous Presentations, Diagnosis, and Outcomes of Scleroderma in Skin of Color

In a review, researchers reported that ethnicity plays a role in outcomes, presentations, and more for individuals with systemic sclerosis.

New Toolkit Aims to Boost Diversity in Skin Research

Researchers identified mistrust, social stigma, and language barriers as major obstacles for ethnic minorities in skin research.

Preclinical Medical Students Perform Similarly in Evaluating, Diagnosing Dermatological Diseases in Varying Skin Types

Researchers reported that second-year students were more likely to identify dermatological conditions, particularly in White patients.

Lebrikizumab Shows Promise for Patients with Skin of Color and AD

The IL-13 inhibitor, FDA-approved for moderate to severe AD, reached all primary endpoints in the study focusing on patients with skin of color.

Importance of APPs in Treating and Understanding AD

Researchers analyzed APPs treatment and perceptions on AD in studies focusing on patient satisfaction and patients with skin of color.

Diversifying Psoriasis Research to Benefit the Population

Zelma Chiesa Fuxench, MD, MSCE, FAAD, and Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD, discussed the lack of research into psoriasis in skin of color, the absence of diversity in clinical trial populations, and where dermatology as a discipline can go from here.

Analyzing Efficacy and Safety in Diverse Clinical Trials: New Roflumilast Data

After releasing promising data from several clinical trials, Burnett discussed the importance of studying efficacy and safety across diverse populations.

Disparities in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Closer Look at Skin of Color Populations

A review found clinical trials for HS lack diversity, limiting understanding of treatment efficacy for SOC populations.

New Treatments Enhance Care for Diverse Range of Patients With Psoriasis

Historically, research and clinical practice often have overlooked the distinct manifestations and treatment needs of patients with skin of color who have psoriasis.

SCAN Project Empowers Cosmetologists in Early Skin Cancer Detection

Bree Vanleeuwen, PA-C, and Jim Sutton, PA-C, discussed the Skin Cancer Awareness project—a unique initiative to train cosmetologists and hairdressers to recognize suspicious skin lesions and refer clients for dermatologic evaluation.

CAB Gel Shows Promising Results for Hispanic Patients with Acne

The study demonstrated significant reductions in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions for Hispanic patients using CAB gel.

Study Highlights Gaps in Diverse Skin Representation in Nursing Textbooks

The study called for improved diversity in clinical training materials to help future clinicians better recognize conditions on darker skin.

Navigating Challenges and Inspiring Advocacy: A Pre-Med Student's Journey With HS

Dena Antowan shared her journey balancing pre-med life, managing HS, advocating on TikTok, and her vision for empathetic dermatologic care.

Several Risk Factors, Including PAE, Associated with Acne Scarring in Thai Patients

Researchers noted higher correlations in those who are prone to severe acne and post acne erythema (PAE).

Psoriasis Patients Without Insurance Are More Likely Unable to Obtain Care

The effect of insurance status on US patients with psoriasis can help identify those at risk of being undertreated.

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