International Albinism Awareness Day - 13 June

Tags: Important Days

International Color Blindness (Albinism) Awareness Day is observed annually on 13 June.

An Overview of the News 

• The day aims to create awareness about albinism, a genetic skin condition.
• It seeks to promote the rights and regulation of persons with albinism globally.
• The theme for the International Albinism Awareness Day 2023 is "Inclusion is Power."
• The theme is based on the previous year's 2022 theme "United in making our voices heard".

History of International Albinism Awareness Day

• In 2013, the United Nations Human Rights Council recognized albinism as a human rights issue.
• The resolution condemns global violence and discrimination against persons with albinism.
• On 18 December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly designated 13 June as the International Color Blindness Awareness Day.
• The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) actively participated in a United Nations program following the adoption of the resolution.

Albinism:

• Albinism is a group of heritable conditions associated with decreased or absent melanin in ectoderm-derived tissues (most notably the skin, hair, and eyes), yielding a characteristic decrease in skin pigmentation.
• Patients with albinism are particularly susceptible to solar damage, and these patients must utilise lifelong sun protection precautions.
• These patients should be educated on avoidance of prolonged UV light exposure and avoidance of medications that increase photosensitivity.
• This activity reviews the evaluation and management of albinism and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in the recognition and management of this condition.