Brief
Study finds climate change impacts skin health in over 40% of countries
Researchers say lower‑income countries see the greatest rise in heat‑related and inflammatory skin conditions.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Researchers from the International League of Dermatological Societies and L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty reported that 42.6% of surveyed nations have observed climate‑related changes in skin disease prevalence or severity, according to a study released on 30 September 2026.
What happened
The Global Access to Skin Health Observatory (SkinObservatory) invited representatives from 194 WHO member states; 136 countries submitted data covering all World Bank income groups. Overall, 42.6% of respondents noted changes linked to climate factors, with low‑income (55.6%) and lower‑middle‑income (52.5%) nations reporting the highest rates.
What the reports add
The study highlighted regional variation: the Western Pacific Region reported the most changes (64.7%), followed by the Eastern Mediterranean and South‑East Asian regions (60% each), while the European Region reported 16.1%.
What was said
Dr Esther Freeman, an American dermatologist and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, said, “We often think about the effects of extreme weather on heatstroke, cardiovascular problems and respiratory diseases, but the skin is our front line to climate change.” The quote was attributed to the Bizcommunity article.
How it came about
The SkinObservatory study builds on earlier calls for stronger health surveillance in the face of climate change, echoing Felo News’ recent coverage of climate‑related health impacts in island nations and digital health initiatives.
Key facts
- 42.6% of surveyed countries reported climate‑related changes in skin disease prevalence or severity. (bizcommunity.com)
- Low‑income countries reported the highest proportion of changes at 55.6%. (bizcommunity.com)
- The Western Pacific Region had the highest regional reporting rate at 64.7%. (bizcommunity.com)
Sources
- [1] bizcommunity.com — originally reported as “Climate change is affecting skin health in more than 40% of countries worldwide”
