What Systemic Changes in Skin Health Equity Are Taking Place?

In this segment of the latest episode of the Skin of Color Savvy podcast, Mona Shahriari, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine and host of The Medical Sisterhood, led a forward-looking discussion with Susan Taylor, MD, the Bernett Johnson Endowed Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, and Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, board-certified dermatologist and Professor at the USC Keck School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, focused on the intersection of skin health equity, advocacy, and innovation.

Shahriari emphasized equity does not end at diagnosis. Rather, it extends into public policy, systemic reform, and the broader structures determining access and outcomes. She asked how professional organizations, particularly those centered on skin of color, can translate awareness into durable change. Nearly every major dermatologic society now has a dedicated advocacy arm, a reflection of the growing recognition of policy decisions as directly shaping patient care and physician practice.

Elbuluk highlighted the advocacy committee within the Skin of Color Society (SOCS), noting its focus on issues disproportionately affecting patients of color. However, she described progress as requiring collaboration and “strength in numbers,” encouraging partnerships across organizations to amplify impact. Taylor offered a concrete example of advocacy in action: policy surrounding pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) in the military. Under a directive affecting service members with refractory PFB, individuals who do not improve after a year of treatment may face discharge. In response, the American Academy of Dermatology, in collaboration with multiple dermatologic societies, convened experts to develop a Delphi consensus on optimal PFB management.

Shahriari noted such efforts advance equity broadly. While PFB disproportionately affects men with skin of color, it is not exclusive to any one demographic group. Advocacy addressing disease biology rather than stigma reinforces fairness across patient populations. The discussion then pivoted to innovation, particularly artificial intelligence in dermatology. Shahriari posed a critical question: as new technologies emerge, how can the specialty ensure they narrow rather than widen disparities?

Elbuluk stressed the importance of maintaining a critical lens. Dermatologists should interrogate the datasets informing AI algorithms and diagnostic tools, asking whether they adequately represent diverse skin tones. Blind adoption risks embedding and perpetuating bias at scale. She encouraged clinicians to ask difficult questions of companies developing these tools and to advocate for transparency in data sourcing and validation.

Taylor described representation in decision-making spaces as equally crucial. Being present “in the rooms” where investment, research priorities, and technological development are determined is key to shaping equitable innovation. Without diverse voices at the table, bias can become structurally embedded.

Shahriari illustrated the stakes with a practical example: online image searches for psoriasis often underrepresent skin of color. If search algorithms are trained on non-diverse imagery, patients may fail to recognize their own disease, delaying care. For clinicians, this underscores the downstream consequences of algorithmic bias.

In closing, the panelists offered pragmatic, grassroots actions for 2026. Elbuluk encouraged dermatologists to identify one disease state outside their comfort zone—particularly conditions affecting underrepresented populations—and proactively seek updated literature or educational sessions. She also urged clinicians to join committees within professional societies, noting meaningful change does not require senior leadership titles; consistent engagement at any level matters.

Taylor emphasized collegiality. Dermatology is a community, she said, and clinicians should feel empowered to consult peers when uncertain about a diagnosis in any patient population. Shahriari echoed this sentiment, advocating for small, consistent shifts, such as diversifying personal teaching image libraries, collectively driving meaningful change. For practicing dermatologists, the message was clear: advocacy, critical evaluation of innovation, and everyday clinical intentionality are central to advancing skin health equity.

Editor’s note: This summary was developed with the help of AI tools.