In a development underscoring health inequities in dermatology, the American Academy of Dermatology 2023 Annual Meeting included a range of posters focused on the lack of access to medical attention for skin disease care among historically underrepresented populations, as well as the lack of collection of robust race and ethnicity data in clinical trials.
One study found that rural areas had little access to psoriasis-treating providers and that patients in these areas often received care outside of their zip code. The study called for research into locational disparities that restricted access to specialist treatment for psoriasis and differentiated treatment strategies that could tackle this issue.
In another study, researchers examined how race and ethnicity data and skin phototype were being captured in phase 2/3 clinical trials for vitiligo treatments across the globe.
The study found that while race and ethnicity data was reported more frequently in North American clinical trials, skin phototype was reported more frequently in European trials for vitiligo therapies.
The investigators suggested reporting both race/ethnicity and skin phototype to more accurately assess their potential associations with the treatment results for vitiligo.
