People living with dermatological conditions face stigma, shame and other psychosocial challenges in addition to the physical symptoms of their disease. For many patients, this is a lifelong burden. And in many cultures, this can have devastating social impacts. This must change. Together, we can make it happen.

The International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations (also known as GlobalSkin) – is a unique global alliance serving patient organizations to improve the lives of dermatology patients worldwide. Our not-for-profit organization, which is based in Canada, is focused on three pillars:

• Research
• Advocacy
• Support

GlobalSkin envisions a world in which people living with dermatological diseases and skin traumas can easily access the care and treatment they need, when they need it, and can live without stigmatization, persecution or economic disadvantages due to their conditions.

GlobalSkin is working with over 200 patient association members ─ located in 67 countries representing more than 55 disease areas ─ to improve the lives of those affected by dermatological conditions throughout the world by:

• initiating dialogue and advocating for access to new and existing treatments, and dermatological care to improve patients’ quality of life;
• raising the awareness of the incidence of, and the challenges for, people living with serious dermatological diseases to create better understanding; and
• supporting our Members, not-for-profit dermatology patient organizations, through education, global campaigning, sharing of best-practices and beneficial networking opportunities to strengthen support for patients and build a strong, inclusive movement;
• building special focus communities; and
• conducting patient-initiated research.

We appeal as one voice to the World Health Organization and other key influencers to recognize the debilitating nature of dermatological disease so that more resources for research and treatment options are made readily available to those afflicted and in need of help.

The common thread through these important GlobalSkin initiatives is credible data, which we will collect in the first-ever global patient-initiated 'impact of skin disease’ research project, expected to have a profound and lasting impact on key decision-makers. By collecting data from the dermatology patient perspective to represent various real-life conditions around the world, the dermatological community will gain better awareness, making it easier to truly help patients. Together, we are stronger.