The challenge of skin diseases in Europe

Skin diseases and sexually transmitted infections account for 20% of all diagnoses in the doctors’ office, and therefore present a major public health challenge for Europe. The clinical presentations range from minor transient problems to severe, debilitating diseases and include different cancers, cutaneous and systemic infections and chronic infl ammatory diseases, all with a high burden to patients’ well-being and quality of life. The prevalence of diseases, especially skin cancers, allergies, chronic wounds and sexually transmitted infections, is steadily increasing, due in part to environmental factors as well as aging of the European population. Moreover, Dermato-Venereologists are being further challenged by the burden of disease borne by the large number of refugees and migrants now making their home in Europe. The treatment of skin diseases and sexually transmitted infections generates profound health economic concerns, notably as more effective, but nevertheless more expensive therapies become available for common problems like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. In addition, sexually transmitted infections, including HPV and HIV/AIDS, require considerable resources. Correct diagnosis and prompt treatment can reduce management costs, cut morbidity and greatly improve the patients’ quality of life, further underscoring the importance of Dermato-Venereology. Professionals trained in the discipline provide leadership in undergraduate and graduate teaching as well as research with a focus on disease prevention and development and testing of new treatments. This 5th edition of the EDF White Book describes the burden of skin and sexually transmitted infections within Europe and shows how provision of care and costs varies across the continent. The White Book outlines the high impact of these diseases on people and resources, discusses their prevention and management, and provides up-to-date information on key clinical and scientifi c advances. A directory of national dermatological associations, European dermatology societies and patient organizations, is included to provide a complete and valuable resource that will be useful to everyone involved in health care policy decision making. The White Book should be of interest to a broad spectrum of policy makers including medical schools and hospital administrators, as well as politicians, health care providers, physicians belonging to different medical disciplines, the pharmaceutical and medico-technical industry, Dermato-Venereologists and not least patients and patient support groups. It has been the mission of the EDF, ever since its foundation in 1997, to implement actions aimed at preventing skin diseases and improving the quality of health care for people with skin diseases and sexually transmitted infections, including allergy and skin cancer. This 2017 edition of the EDF White Book supports this vital work.