Established by resolution of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2014, this anniversary is commemorated every June 13, which aims to raise global awareness, as well as prevent mistreatment and discrimination towards albino people, and end stigma and falsehoods. beliefs about this condition, where superstition and fanaticism have no place.
On this day, the UN highlighted the tireless efforts of albinism groups around the world and, at the same time, urged reflection on the continuous legal, political and practical changes that are still necessary to guarantee the full and equal enjoyment of the rights of people with albinism.
According to experts, this is a rare, non-contagious, hereditary and congenital disorder.
In almost all types of albinism, both parents must be carriers of the gene for the disorder to be transmitted, even if they do not have it themselves.
It occurs in both sexes, is independent of ethnic origin and can exist in any territory.
It is characterized by the absence of pigmentation (melanin) in the skin, hair and eyes, which causes sensitivity to the sun and intense light, and causes almost all people with albinism to suffer from visual deficiencies and be prone to developing cancer. fur.
Specialists estimate that in North America and Europe one in every 17,000 to 20,000 people has some type of albinism.
Meanwhile, the condition is much more common in sub-Saharan Africa, where one in every 1,400 people is thought to be affected in Tanzania and there are prevalences of up to one in every thousand individuals in certain populations in Zimbabwe and other specific ethnic groups in Southern Africa. .
The lack of melanin in albinos makes them extremely vulnerable to skin cancer, which is why in some countries the majority of them die from this cause between 30 and 40 years of age.
If they could fully exercise their right to health, albinos could be treated for this type of cancer since it is preventable in a high percentage – with regular medical check-ups, sunscreen, sunglasses and sun-protective clothing – however, in many Nations do not have access to these resources since they are outside the system.
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