"IMPACTS" for more equal health opportunities

Skin lightening is widespread in many sub-Saharan countries and is a growing public health problem: many products contain harmful substances, regulatory controls are patchy and users are often misinformed or inadequately informed. Research to date has mainly focussed on consumers. However, the role of retailers, economic incentives and misleading product labelling have hardly been investigated. This "research gap" is now to be closed – not least in light of the increasing prevalence and social significance of the phenomenon.

In addition to the BNITM and the professorship for Health Communication at the University of Erfurt, the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) in Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana are also involved in the project.

"It is particularly exciting for us to look at both sides of the market, i.e. consumers and traders, at the same time," says Dr Gbadebo Collins Adeyanju. "This allows us to better understand how beauty standards, economic constraints, misinformation and regulatory gaps interact. The project also provides a unique opportunity to work with our partners in Ghana and Nigeria to develop practical solutions that are socially relevant and culturally sensitive."

"IMPACTS makes a significant contribution to health protection, regulation and gender equality. The project makes hidden risks and unconscious exposure to harmful ingredients visible and provides important data for health policy measures, education and campaigns. At the same time, it strengthens the implementation of key Sustainable Development Goals in the long term and contributes to a safer consumer protection policy and greater health equality.