From September 25-28 in Amsterdam, #EFACommunity joined forces at the annual EADV Congress, representing the voices of atopic eczema patients across Europe. In close collaboration with our local member, VMCE from the Netherlands, we held an active European atopic eczema community presence in the Patient Organization Area. Our booths served to highlight EFA’s patient-driven advocacy and projects, showcasing our call for improved care and support for atopic eczema patients. Through the findings of the Atopic Eczema Burden Report, EFA emphasised the urgent need for policy change to address the significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges that atopic eczema patients endure.
#EFACommunity at the EADV Patient Organisation Area
Advocating for change through collaboration
The EADV Congress provided an excellent platform to connect with healthcare professionals and discuss how collaboration between patient organizations and medical professionals can significantly improve patient care.
We had insightful exchanges with experts, such as with EADV President Dr. Martin Röcken, around patient participation and empowerment, reinforcing our shared mission to improve care for atopic eczema patients.
Scientific insights: understanding the burden of atopic dermatitis
At the congress, EFA attended scientific sessions that discussed the extensive burden of atopic dermatitis, affecting up to 20% of the population. As Prof. Emma Guttman shared, the impact of atopic dermatitis is multidimensional, influencing sleep, mental health, quality of life, and productivity. Our Atopic Eczema Burden Report is a recent multistakeholder testimonial of these daily struggles — from the physical to the financial strain and highlights the urgency for better care and support across Europe.
Atopical Lives Multimedia Project: real-life challenges of patients
During the Congress, EFA presented “Atopical Lives” series – patient stories, which convey the daily realities faced by both adult and child patients living with atopic eczema. While these powerful testimonials focus on individual experiences, they highlight a reality with no borders: atopic eczema care has many gaps across countries and patients demand cross-collaboration in addressing the complex challenges of this chronic skin condition. Understanding the everyday burdens atopic dermatitis is crucial, as it extends beyond clinical treatment to encompass comprehensive, patient-centred care and support. The full series are available on the Atopical Lives website and we encourage patients and caregivers to share these stories as they might reflect their own realities.
Global Skin Matters Event: building a stronger patient community
At the Global Skin Matters event, EFA joined our international partners to amplify our shared mission for patient empowerment and global understanding of skin diseases. The unity of voices from organizations such as GlobalSkin (the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations) and EFA Members present in the event -VMCE, Drustvo AE and Zavod Atopika, made clear that advancing care for skin disease requires a global effort. By working together, we strive to make the mission of World Atopic Eczema Day meaningful every day. We were also glad to connect, and learn together with sister orgaisations in Global Skin Members event on fundraising.
Wrapping up the Congress, we will keep working towards a future where every patient has access to comprehensive care, support, and understanding they truly deserve. EFA Community is committed to driving a real change for atopic eczema patients in Europe.
Read the full Atopic Eczema Burden Report in multiple languages here
Read EFA’s Call to European policymakers
Learn more about our annual action on World Atopic Eczema Day