Actions, recommendations, and public policy solutions for the management of dermatological diseases in Latin America: a systematic review
- 1Hospital Universitario Centro Dermatológico Federico Lleras Acosta, Bogotá, Colombia.
- 2Centro de Evidencia e Implementación (CEI-evidence), Bogotá, Colombia.
- 3Faculty of medicine, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia.
Abstract
Introduction: Dermatological diseases impose a substantial health burden and contribute to health inequalities across Latin America. However, data regarding regional public policies has not been systematically synthesized, limiting the identification of approaches, gaps, and best practices.
Objective: To conduct a systematic review aimed at synthesizing the available literature and documents on public policy actions, recommendations, and solutions related to dermatological diseases in Latin America.
Methods: Electronic databases and official government websites were searched. Documents published in Spanish, English, and Portuguese between 2015 and 2026 were included. When applicable, methodological quality was assessed according to study design. Data were narratively synthesized according to the identified groups of dermatological conditions. Programs or policies, implementation characteristics, and reported outcomes were described.
Results: After screening 6,533 references identified through database searches, 74 scientific studies were included; additionally, the grey literature search identified 140 eligible documents. The analyzed documents on public policy solutions primarily focused on infectious diseases and neglected tropical diseases, particularly leprosy (15.4%) and leishmaniasis (11.2%), with most documents originating from Brazil (24.3%). The main actions identified included vaccination programs, early detection and transmission control strategies, strengthening of health surveillance and information systems, diagnostic decentralization, teledermatology, workforce training, implementation of guidelines and protocols, and community-based and intersectoral interventions. Implementation faced structural barriers such as territorial inequalities, limited problem-solving capacity at the primary care level, shortage of specialists, and weaknesses in health information systems. Implementation could potentially be facilitated through the integration of technological innovation, strengthening of primary care, community participation, and intersectoral approaches incorporating the social determinants of health.
Conclusion: In Latin America, public policies in dermatology have primarily focused on disease control and reducing access gaps, with greater emphasis on infectious and neglected tropical diseases. The persistence of structural inequalities and the limited availability of data onchronic dermatological conditions highlight the need for more comprehensive, context-specific, and sustainable responses aimed at strengthening health systems and reducing inequities in dermatological care across the region.
Systematic review registration: CRD420261322767 https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261322767
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BibTeX
@article{estradaorozco2026actions,
title = {{Actions, recommendations, and public policy solutions for the management of dermatological diseases in Latin America: a systematic review}},
author = {Kelly Estrada-Orozco and Lina María Rincón-Martínez and Nathalie Ospina-Lizarazo and Jesús Utria-Munive and Elisabet Gutiérrez-Barbosa and María Camila Londoño-Restrepo and Genesis Andrea Bernier-Brito and Laura Marcela Garces-Perea and Lorena Mesa-Melgarejo and Lorena Herrera-Aranguren and Elin Xiomara Perea},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1929195},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1929195/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Actions, recommendations, and public policy solutions for the management of dermatological diseases in Latin America: a systematic review
AU - Kelly Estrada-Orozco
AU - Lina María Rincón-Martínez
AU - Nathalie Ospina-Lizarazo
AU - Jesús Utria-Munive
AU - Elisabet Gutiérrez-Barbosa
AU - María Camila Londoño-Restrepo
AU - Genesis Andrea Bernier-Brito
AU - Laura Marcela Garces-Perea
AU - Lorena Mesa-Melgarejo
AU - Lorena Herrera-Aranguren
AU - Elin Xiomara Perea
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1929195
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1929195/full
AB - Introduction: Dermatological diseases impose a substantial health burden and contribute to health inequalities across Latin America. However, data regarding regional public policies has not been systematically synthesized, limiting the identification of approaches, gaps, and best practices. Objective: To conduct a systematic review aimed at synthesizing the available literature and documents on public policy actions, recommendations, and solutions related to dermatological diseases in Latin America. Methods: Electronic databases and official government websites were searched. Documents published in Spanish, English, and Portuguese between 2015 and 2026 were included. When applicable, methodological quality was assessed according to study design. Data were narratively synthesized according to the identified groups of dermatological conditions. Programs or policies, implementation characteristics, and reported outcomes were described. Results: After screening 6,533 references identified through database searches, 74 scientific studies were included; additionally, the grey literature search identified 140 eligible documents. The analyzed documents on public policy solutions primarily focused on infectious diseases and neglected tropical diseases, particularly leprosy (15.4%) and leishmaniasis (11.2%), with most documents originating from Brazil (24.3%). The main actions identified included vaccination programs, early detection and transmission control strategies, strengthening of health surveillance and information systems, diagnostic decentralization, teledermatology, workforce training, implementation of guidelines and protocols, and community-based and intersectoral interventions. Implementation faced structural barriers such as territorial inequalities, limited problem-solving capacity at the primary care level, shortage of specialists, and weaknesses in health information systems. Implementation could potentially be facilitated through the integration of technological innovation, strengthening of primary care, community participation, and intersectoral approaches incorporating the social determinants of health. Conclusion: In Latin America, public policies in dermatology have primarily focused on disease control and reducing access gaps, with greater emphasis on infectious and neglected tropical diseases. The persistence of structural inequalities and the limited availability of data onchronic dermatological conditions highlight the need for more comprehensive, context-specific, and sustainable responses aimed at strengthening health systems and reducing inequities in dermatological care across the region. Systematic review registration: CRD420261322767 https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261322767
SN - 2296-2565
ER -