From 16 to 19 September, EFA actively participated in the annual EADV Congress in Paris, hosted by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, alongside several parallel side events. This year, our presence held particular significance, following the recent adoption of the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution recognising skin diseases as a global public health priority.
Together with members of our community, Global Skin and GAAPP, we brought the patient perspective to the forefront of discussions and maintained a strong presence in the Patient Organisation Area. Our booth showcased EFA’s patient-driven advocacy and initiatives, including the impactful awareness efforts around World Atopic Eczema Day and a preview of our upcoming advocacy plans for the year ahead.
Can AI provide reliable treatment and care advice for Atopic Eczema patients?
During the session titled “AI and Social Media Strategies in Dermatological Practice”, EFA Director Susanna Palkonen and dermatologist Kenneth Thomsen led a timely and thought-provoking discussion on the role of Artificial Intelligence in supporting the care and lives of people with Atopic Eczema (AE). Susanna’s presentation was entirely based on feedback from EFA members atopic eczema working group.
The topic resonates strongly in today’s climate of growing interest in AI, especially as atopic eczema patients often seek reliable information and support, yet frequently feel isolated and uncertain about their treatment options. In this context, AI may appear to be a promising tool to bridge information gaps.
Susanna and Kenneth explored both the potential and limitations of AI. While AI can offer general information about the disease, instructions of use and kind emollients to use , social and financial support, daily planning, and emotional coping strategies, it falls short in delivering the personalised, multidisciplinary care and treatment advice that AE patients require. AI lacks access to full patient histories and cannot reliably provide clinical advice for complex conditions like atopic eczema.
Their key message: AI can be a helpful resource for patients and healthcare professionals if used cautiously and critically—not as a substitute for medical advice or clinical experience, but as a tool. They also emphasised the need for accountability and transparency from AI developers, calling for collaboration with healthcare professionals and patients to create needs-based, trustworthy AI tools.
Collaborating for change with the AE global community
Beyond the scientific sessions, EADV offered a valuable opportunity for EFA to engage with our community and partners, including national and European patient organisations, EADV, corporate partners, and healthcare professionals. Together, we discussed current and future initiatives around Atopic Eczema and beyond, with a particular focus on advancing the implementation of the WHA resolution on skin diseases.
We participated in the Europe Health Policy Influencers Forum, hosted by GlobalSkin Europe, where we collaborated with fellow patient groups to strategise on influencing policy change through targeted advocacy. Through best practice sharing and hands-on workshops, we contributed EFA’s experience in European-level advocacy and contributed to brainstorming on more effective campaigns for skin disease awareness and policy reform.
Achieving the goals of the WHA resolution will require a global, multi-stakeholder effort. By joining forces with GlobalSkin—our long-standing partner in the World Atopic Eczema Day campaign—alongside EFA members Društvo Atopijski dermatitis (Slovenia) and AADA Asociación de Afectados por la Dermatitis Atópica (Spain), and other GlobalSkin Europe members, we are committed to amplifying the voices and needs of patients across Europe and beyond.
EADV was not only an opportunity to strengthen collaborations with patient organisations and corporate partners, but also with healthcare professionals. Since the beginning of 2025, EFA has been member of the EADV Patient Advocacy Taskforce. In Paris, the Taskforce gathered to discuss current priorities, the new direction for future collaboration and the role of patient organizations in upcoming initiatives.
As the Congress concluded, our commitment remains strong: to build a future where every AE patient has access to comprehensive care, meaningful support, and the understanding they deserve. The EFA community continues to drive real change for Atopic Eczema patients in Europe—because every voice matters.
