American Academy of Dermatology and Health Volunteers Overseas: A decade of partnership

In most developing countries there are few, if any, skin specialists and primary care providers often receive little or no training in skin care. Skin problems are often overlooked when global health issues are discussed, yet those affected range from 28% to 87% of the population, depending on the locale. An estimated 24% of primary care visits in developing countries are related to skin concerns. When health care is focused on life-threatening diseases, skin concerns may not be addressed, which can lead to infection, discomfort, and even disfigurement and community ostracism.With somany lacking access to care, andwith a shortage ofmedical providers skilled in skin disease, a sustainable benefit must come from training local health care providers, from physicians to community health workers, in their communities. To initiate this effort, the International Foundation for Dermatology (http://www.ifd.org) was formed as an arm of the International League of Dermatological Societies (representing[25,000 members from[60 nations) as a nonprofit organization whose principal mission is to improve dermatologic care in underserved areas of the developing world. One of its activities is support of the Regional Dermatology Training Center in Moshi, Tanzania. Another is publication of the Community Dermatology Journal (http://www.ifd.org/news_commderm.html). Ten years ago, Dr Raymond Cornelison Jr, as American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) president, raised concern aboutmore than 3billionpeople in developing countries who lacked access to basic dermatologic care. Subsequently the AADdeveloped a relationship with Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO), a nonprofit organization that had been sending health care professionals to developing countries