Considerable global disparities found in access to dermatological care
Global access to dermatological care varies significantly, with 42% of countries reporting inadequate or extremely poor access, according to a study published online Aug. 26 in JAMA Dermatology.
A recent study published in JAMA Dermatology has revealed considerable global disparities in access to dermatological care. Conducted by Esther E. Freeman, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues from Massachusetts General Hospital, the research surveyed 158 countries representing 97% of the world's population. The study found that the mean density of dermatologists per 100,000 people was 2.66, ranging from 0.37 in low-income countries to 5.05 in high-income countries.
Despite the global dermatologist workforce totaling an estimated 175,633, only 17% of countries met the threshold of 5.63 dermatologists per 100,000 required for sufficient workforce density. Shockingly, 42% of countries reported inadequate or extremely poor access to dermatological care, while 21% lacked dermatology training programs.
The authors emphasize that these communities of resource-limited settings, where the greatest burden lies, should be the starting point for meaningful solutions to address these disparities.
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