The Dermatologic Effects of Climate Change on Skin of Color Populations: A Comprehensive Review

Authors

• Grace Ugwueke
• Simona A. Alomary
• Nicole J. Baker, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Susan C. Taylor MD
• Nada Elbuluk MD

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2026

Comments

This article is the author’s final published version in JAAD Reviews, Volume 8, 2026, Pages 112-119.

The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdrv.2026.03.009. Copyright © 2026 The Author(s).

Abstract

Background: Climate change contributes to rising temperatures, worsening air pollution, increasing UV exposure, and more frequent extreme weather events with downstream consequences for dermatologic conditions. However, limited research has examined how these climate-related effects can impact skin of color (SOC) populations, who often face disproportionate environmental exposures and structural inequities. Objective: To summarize the dermatologic implications of climate and environmental stressors on SOC populations. Methods: A literature search of PubMed and Embase (2000-2025) identified studies assessing dermatologic outcomes related to climate change or environmental exposures. Of 1254 records screened, 133 duplicates were removed, leaving 1121 studies for evaluation. Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria. Articles were excluded if they lacked dermatologic outcomes of climate or environmental exposures, were animal-only studies, not in English, or lacked SOC-relevant data. Results: Climate and environment related exposures may contribute to pigmentary, inflammatory, and infectious skin diseases with potential implications in SOC populations. Limitations: Limited availability of SOC-specific studies. Conclusion: Climate change can affect dermatologic health of individuals and some of these effects may be increased in SOC populations. Greater inclusion of SOC individuals in climate change research and targeted strategies to improve the dermatologic health effects of climate change is essential to addressing emerging disparities.

Recommended Citation

Ugwueke, Grace; Alomary, Simona A.; Baker, Nicole J.; Taylor, Susan C. MD; and Elbuluk, Nada MD, "The Dermatologic Effects of Climate Change on Skin of Color Populations: A Comprehensive Review" (2026). Student Papers, Posters & Projects. Paper 204.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/student_papers/204

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Language

English