From 24 to 27 April, EFA President Marcia Podestà represented the EFA atopic eczema community at the GlobalSkin Conference in Prague. The event gathered over 250 leading dermatology patient organisations from across the world, including some EFA members.
The meeting fostered an atmosphere of solidarity, compassion, and collective purpose. During four days, participants highlighted the real-world challenges faced by people living with skin diseases, including stigma and isolation, mental health issues, and difficulties in accessing care.
From left to right, Simone Miles (EFA Treasurer), Jennifer Austin (GlobalSkin CEO)
and Marcia Podestà (EFA President)
The conference provided the space for specific disease communities to connect, and EFA was delighted to exchange knowledge, and explore new collaboration models, including regional ones. Topics ranged from advancing health equity and integrating mental health support into dermatology to strengthening organisational governance and driving digital engagement.
As part of the GlobalSkin EU Regional Network discussions, EFA President emphasised the need to identify common priorities in Europe, such as access to care, mental health, shortages, the collection of data on skin diseases and how they affect young patients. During the conference, the network also discussed the members’ common issues, what needs to be done collectively to solve them and how the community could support the achievement of national goals. Participants agreed on the urgent need for continued advocacy.
Importantly, the Conference’s sessions brought together patient leaders, reinforcing the patient’s role as a central stakeholder in their own care.
In the context of growing momentum generated by the recent adopted WHO resolution on skin diseases, the GlobalSkin conference was more than just an event. For EFA Community it was an opportunity to connect with the local community, share our regional work and be active players in this global movement.
As one attendee put it: “We arrived as individuals with different stories, but we leave as one voice — stronger, wiser, and ready to champion change.”