Climate Change, Cutaneous Disease, and the Dermatology Provider

Climate change is a public health crisis with pervasive repercussions on health. The integumentary system faces greater exposure to the external environment than any other organ system. Cutaneous disease is therefore significantly impacted by climate change-related factors. This includes but is not limited to global warming, oceanic warming, air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, and extreme weather events, as well as secondary effects of climate change such as mass migration and overcrowding. Dermatology providers must understand the intersection of climate change and skin health in order to appropriately diagnose and manage cutaneous disease.