WPA Participates in Patient Future Conference – Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden – 17–18 March 2025
The World Patients Alliance took part in the Patient Future Conference organized by Fokus Penila in Stockholm. The event brought together over 100 participants from 9 countries for a high-impact conversation on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), cancer, and communicable diseases—highlighting the growing burden on healthcare systems across Europe and beyond.
The conference opened with remarks from Rob Butler (WHO Europe), who emphasized that 80% of deaths in Europe are caused by NCDs, underscoring the urgent need for collective action and innovation in policy, prevention, and patient engagement.
Academic leadership from Karolinska Institutet contributed significantly, with sessions focused on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer treatment pathways. These discussions aligned closely with WPA’s priorities and informed its preparations for the upcoming Lisbon Regional Meeting.
Several presentations explored the role of social media in patient advocacy and education. Notably, Gotz Gottschalk shared insights on YouTube strategies that captured audience interest and highlighted his potential as a speaker for future WPA events.
The conference also hosted sessions on cancer diagnostics, pulmonary disease synergy, and the growing urgency of data-driven public health responses. Participants affirmed WPA’s decision to center NCDs as the main theme of the upcoming Lisbon meeting. One industry representative expressed specific interest in supporting a dedicated diabetes session, signaling valuable alignment between WPA’s strategic goals and stakeholder expectations.
The event reinforced the need for sustained cross-sector collaboration to tackle the NCD crisis and further highlighted the role of patient organizations like WPA in shaping a more responsive, inclusive, and effective healthcare future.
