Skin and Digital–The 2024 Narrative

The global burden of skin diseases affects over three billion individuals, posing significant public health challenges worldwide, with profound impacts in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These challenges are exacerbated by widespread disparities in access to dermatological care and the prevalence of misinformation. This paper, derived from the Skin & Digital Summit at the "International Master Course on Aging Science (IMCAS) critically evaluates how digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), tele-dermatology, and large language models (LLMs) can bridge these access gaps. It explores practical applications and case studies demonstrating the impact of these technologies in various settings, with a particular focus on adapting solutions to meet the diverse needs of LMICs. Additionally, the narrative highlights the ongoing conversation within the dermatological community about the role of digital advances in healthcare, emphasizing that this discussion is dynamic and one that is continuously evolving. Dermatologists play an essential role in this transition, integrating digital tools into mainstream care to complement a patient-centred, culturally sensitive approach. The paper advocates for a globally coordinated digital response that not only addresses current disparities in skin health care but also promotes equitable access to digital health resources, making dermatological care more representative of all skin types and accessible worldwide.