WHO Restores Sunscreen to Essential Medicines List, Boosting Rights of Albinos

Two United Nations human rights experts have welcomed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) landmark decision to restore sunscreen to its Model Lists of Essential Medicines, a move seen as vital for protecting the health and dignity of people with albinism worldwide.

A Life-Saving Decision

The WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines decided to reinstate sunscreen after sustained advocacy from civil society, health professionals, and human rights advocates. The measure addresses a decades-long oversight in global health policy and reflects growing recognition of the disproportionate risks faced by people with albinism, particularly in sun-intensive regions.

People with albinism lack melanin, the pigment that provides natural protection against ultraviolet radiation. As a result, they are extremely vulnerable to sunburn, premature skin aging, and life-threatening skin cancers. Non-melanoma skin cancers, in particular, develop quickly in this population if preventive measures such as sunscreen are unavailable.

“By restoring sunscreen to the essential medicines lists, WHO has acknowledged sunscreen not as a cosmetic product, but as a fundamental health necessity,” the experts said.

The Global Burden of Skin Cancer for People with Albinism

Skin cancer is the leading cause of death for persons with albinism, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where sun exposure is intense and access to affordable sunscreen remains scarce. According to advocacy groups, in some African countries individuals with albinism can die from preventable skin cancers as early as their 30s.

Despite this reality, many governments have failed to provide consistent supplies of sunscreen through public health systems. Instead, access often depends on expensive private markets, charity donations, or fragmented aid programs. The WHO decision, experts hope, will drive states to institutionalize provision within their national health frameworks.

Intersection of Climate Change and Health Inequity

The decision also comes against the backdrop of worsening climate change, which intensifies heatwaves and UV exposure. UN experts warned that the climate emergency has amplified the vulnerability of people with albinism. Poor awareness campaigns, lack of preventive infrastructure, and weak governmental response have created what they called a “preventable catastrophe.”

They emphasized that international law obliges states to take differentiated measures to protect disproportionately affected groups. This was reinforced by a recent Advisory Opinion of the Inter-American Court on Human Rights, which explicitly linked climate obligations with human rights protections.

Beyond Recognition: The Challenge of Implementation

While the reinstatement of sunscreen to the WHO’s model lists is celebrated as a breakthrough, its success will depend on how governments act. Experts stressed that countries must integrate sunscreen into national supply chains, ensure affordability, and prioritize outreach to rural and marginalized communities.

This requires not only funding but also creativity in delivery — from stocking sunscreen in public clinics and schools to launching educational campaigns about skin protection. In countries where stigma and myths around albinism persist, public health efforts must also address discrimination alongside medical provision.

“The provision and access to sunscreen for persons with albinism is not a cosmetic exercise,” the experts said. “It is a fundamental human right, central to life expectancy, dignity, and equality.”

Human Rights and Global Solidarity

The WHO’s move aligns with international obligations to prevent foreseeable harm from climate change, tackle health inequities, and ensure non-discrimination. For advocates, it represents a crucial recognition that protecting vulnerable groups requires international cooperation.

Global health organizations, donors, and national governments are now expected to develop mechanisms to ensure continuous supply. Some experts have suggested local production of sunscreen in high-need regions, tax exemptions on imports, and international funding initiatives to prevent stockouts.

Looking Forward

The reinstatement of sunscreen on the essential medicines list marks a shift in global health priorities, with potential to transform everyday life for hundreds of thousands of people with albinism. If effectively implemented, it could reduce skin cancer deaths, extend life expectancy, and advance the broader struggle against stigma and exclusion.

But the challenge now lies with governments. Political will, sustained commitment, and concrete integration into healthcare systems will determine whether this decision translates into meaningful change.