The Impact of Dermatology Community Outreach Programs: Improving Health Equity Through Service.

Background: DermmunityTM is a Los Angeles-based community service program established in 2020 at the University of Southern California Department of Dermatology to provide dermatologic education to local underserved communities.

Methods: This study characterized the impact of Dermmunity through retrospective analysis and a prospective survey given over a one-year period (2023-2024).

Results/discussion: From 2020 to 2024, Dermmunity reached 406 participants. Faculty and trainees led lectures on dermatologic health topics including how to access a dermatologist. Survey results demonstrated most participants were female (85.6%), Hispanic/Latinx (74.8%), and insured (88.2%). The largest age group were 35–44-year-olds (33.1%), and the most common highest education level was high school (39.8%). Most respondents found the information presented useful (92.3%), and half (50.9%) felt it would affect their skincare practices. Despite over half having prior skin, hair, or nail conditions, 61.3% had never seen their primary doctor for dermatologic issues. Less had been to a dermatologist (43.7%), nearly a third citing challenges accessing a dermatologist (30.5%). After presentations, the majority felt educated on when to see a dermatologist (79.5%), and 74.3% reported knowing how to schedule an appointment.

Limitations: Small sample size and non-response bias.

Conclusion: Community outreach programs like Dermmunity increase the dermatologic knowledge of participants’ and their confidence in when and how to access a dermatologist. Findings highlight how community-based educational outreach can bridge gaps to care in underserved communities and help improve health equity. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(9) doi:10.36849/JDD.8916e.