Public health programs

Public health programs

• Many dermatologists offer their time, expertise and financial resources to help enrich the lives of people throughout the world. Their efforts make a difference for children and adults with skin, hair and nail disorders, many of which are life-threatening and impact patients’ quality of life.

• Dermatologists’ commitment to public service includes offering free skin cancer checks, funding shade structures across the country, and providing medical care at summer camps for kids with chronic skin conditions.

• Visit aad.org/public for more information about how the American Academy of Dermatology and its members give back to their communities.

Free skin cancer checks

• The American Academy of Dermatology’s free skin cancer check program aims to reduce the number of deaths from skin cancer in the United States by educating the public about their skin cancer risk and providing free skin cancer checks to facilitate the detection of skin cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.

• Since 1985, dermatologists have conducted more than 2.8 million free skin cancer checks and detected more than 290,000 suspicious lesions, including more than 33,300 suspected melanomas.

• In 2024, the AAD launched its Firefighter Skin Cancer Check Initiative, a nationwide effort to provide free skin cancer checks to 10,000 firefighters by 2026.

  • Firefighters are at an elevated occupational risk for skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States and one that is easily treatable when detected early.

  • Data shows that firefighters have a 21% greater risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than the general public. While unprotected exposure to the sun’s harmful rays is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer, firefighters are exposed to cancer-causing substances in the line of duty, especially when fighting fires, which can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.

Shade Structure Program

• The American Academy of Dermatology provides grants of up to $8,000 each to install shade structures for nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that serve children and teens under the age of 18.

• Each shade structure protects children and teens from dangerous ultraviolet rays, while an accompanying sign educates the public about how to protect themselves from the sun.

• Since its launch in 1999, the program has awarded more than 480 shade structure grants to organizations across the country, which provide shade for more than 3.7 million people each day.

Camp Discovery

• The American Academy of Dermatology’s Camp Discovery provides children and teens with chronic skin conditions a week of summer camp. Children have the unique opportunity to enhance their self-confidence, bond with other children who have similar dermatologic conditions, and enjoy a week of fishing, boating, swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, and more.

• Dermatologists offer their expertise and time so campers can experience a typical week of camp under medical supervision.

• Approximately 200 children and teens attend Camp Discovery free of charge each year, thanks to generous donations from dermatologists, individuals, and companies.

• Visit CampDiscovery.org for more information.

Related Academy resources for the public

Last updated: 12/04/24