People with dermatological conditions may frequently face discrimination and feel socially excluded. L’Oréal is committed to recognizing the significant and positive social impact of dermatologists, when helping patients to restore their self-confidence in living with their conditions on a daily basis.
At the 23rd World Congress of Dermatology held June 2015 in Vancouver, Canada, L’Oréal announced the winners of its “Caring to Inspire Skin Confidence” International Awards for Social Responsibility in Dermatology, recognising "often unseen efforts and hard work carried out by dermatologists worldwide".
The awards, held with the support of the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and the World Congress of Dermatology (WCD), are for voluntary initiatives from individuals, associations or hospitals that encourage care and support of individuals with skin conditions to "inspire confidence and encourage social inclusion" according to nomination materials.
In addition to a trophy, winners received funding for continued development of their projects. A total of 118 projects from five geographical areas - Africa and Arab States, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America - were reviewed by an independent scientific committee with six dermatology experts. The projects fell into one of three main categories:
- Prevention - Providing education and support to prevent dermatological conditions
- Support - Improving the physical and psychological quality of life and self-esteem of those affected
- Care - Providing better access to care, and surgery if needed
The five winning projects include:
Skin health promotion for orphans and low-income children and youth
Asia-Pacific: Dr Jeong Chan-woo, South Korea
This project, started in 2004, aimed to educate orphans and children from low-income families in Seoul on how to prevent skin diseases, as well as provide treatment for those with dermatological conditions. The team plans to apply the funds from the prize on extending the project to other parts of Korea, assess the impact of preventative education and create a manual on the care and prevention of atopic dermatitis.
Prevention of dermatitis in children
Europe: Dr Ksenia Sorokina, Russia
According to L’Oréal, this project, begun in 2012, aimed to prevent and treat chronic dermatitis and consists of "the first ever website to allow patients living in remote areas of the Russian Federation to access a consultation with a dermatologist, as well as attend online training seminars." The research team plans to use the prize winnings to create more digital content, conduct seminars and analyse the efficacy of the website.
Moon Children: Providing mobile surgery clinics to indigenous people
Latin America: Dr Gioconda Gaudiano, Republic of Panama
This project, begun in 2009, was based in an area with the highest incidence of albinism in the world, the Archipelago of San Blas, and was aimed at providing education and treatment via mobile surgery clinics to 40,000 indigenous people in the area to prevent skin cancer. In addition, the project conducted a campaign against bullying albinos in schools. The team plans to use the prize winnings to provide clinical workshops and continue raising awareness of the skin condition.
Camp Liberté: A summer camp for children with skin disorders
North America: Dr Danielle Marcoux, Canada
Volunteer dermatologists ran a weeklong summer camp for 100 children 7 to 12 years old with moderate-to-severe skin disorders and their families, and included social interaction and activities to raise the childrens' confidence, improve social skills and reduce stigma about their skin conditions. Prize funds will be used to expand the project.
Supporting vitiligo patients in Saudi Arabia
Africa and Arab States: Prof Khalid Mohammed AlGhamdi, Saudi Arabia
This initiative, begun in 2008, was the first project aimed at raising awareness of vitiligo in the Arab world, and included television campaigns, school visits, training programs and integrated psychological and social support to 300 people with the condition. The dermatologists plan to use the funds to reach remote areas and neighboring countries.
