CLIMATE change was associated with changes in the prevalence and severity of skin disease across more than 40% of countries surveyed, according to an international study presented at EADV Congress 2026. The study assessed responses from 136 countries participating in the Global Access to Skin Health Observatory study.
Representatives from 194 World Health Organization member countries were invited to participate, with data ultimately collected from countries across all four World Bank income groups. Overall, 42.6% of participating countries reported changes in the prevalence and/or severity of skin disease associated with climate change.
The proportion varied substantially by income level. Climate-related changes were reported by 55.6% of low-income countries and 52.5% of lower-middle-income countries, compared with 43.8% of upper-middle-income countries and 28.3% of high-income countries.
Geographical variation was also observed. Climate-related changes in skin disease were reported most frequently in the Western Pacific Region, at 64.7%, followed by the Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asian regions, both at 60.0%. The corresponding proportion in the European Region was 16.1%.
Among respondents from the African Region, 42.9% were unsure about the impact of climate change on skin disease, indicating uncertainty around the extent of climate-related dermatological changes in some settings.
Among the 58 countries reporting climate-associated effects, heat rashes were the most frequently reported change, identified by 81.0% of countries. Inflammatory skin diseases were reported by 75.9%, while 62.1% reported changes in infectious diseases.
Changes in vector-borne diseases were reported by 50.0% of countries reporting climate-associated effects on skin disease. The findings therefore identified changes across inflammatory, infectious, and vector-borne dermatological conditions.
The study authors highlighted a disproportionate burden in lower-income settings and called for stronger surveillance, education, and locally tailored strategies. They proposed that skin health should form part of climate-health preparedness, with approaches adapted to local climate exposures, disease patterns, and available health-system resources.
Reference
Khalfalla T et al. The global impact of climate change on dermatological disease: international results from 136 countries participating in the SkinObservatory study. Poster 2085. EADV Congress, 30 September – 3 October, 2026.
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