Welcome to the first edition of the UEG Advocacy Bulletin!

This new quarterly format will keep you informed with regular updates on our advocacy activities and key EU developments that impact the digestive health community.?

In this first edition, we’ll explore the role of health in the new European Commission and European Parliament, share insights from our latest awareness-raising campaigns and stakeholder collaborations, and introduce our newest publication.?

Update on the New European Health Leadership?

This year’s European Parliament elections have shaped the EU’s leadership for 2024 – 2029. As President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen has reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening health systems across Europe by advancing the European Health Union. Her priorities include focusing on preventive health, tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), addressing medicine shortages through the Critical Medicines Act, and boosting health research and innovation.?

The newly appointed European Commission now divides health responsibilities between two Commissioners. Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi will lead on major health priorities, including the implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, advancing the Critical Medicines and European Biotech Acts, and developing policies for mental health and cardiovascular disease. Belgium’s Hadja Lahbib , Commissioner for Equality, will be responsible for crisis preparedness and management, including oversight of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), as well as sexual and reproductive health rights.?

In the European Parliament , the Public Health Subcommittee (SANT) will soon be upgraded to a full Committee, with responsibilities spanning pharmaceuticals and medical devices, public health, health crisis preparedness and response, mental health and patient rights, health aspects of bioterrorism and various health agencies. In the meantime, the ENVI Committee will focus on environmental and climate policy and protection measures, food safety issues as well as air, soil and water pollution.??

With the new leadership comes a great opportunity to advocate for stronger digestive health policies. We will closely monitor the Parliament’s activities, particularly within the SANT Committee, as it will play a pivotal role in tackling a wide range of public health challenges, including those related to digestive health.??

This is a crucial time for our community to engage with policymakers and emphasise the importance of early detection, innovative treatments, and increased research funding. Explore our Advocacy Toolbox for the EU Elections and beyond – featuring Open Letter, Policy recommendations for 6 key priority areas, and national factsheets. We encourage you to share these resources with policymakers and support our mission to advance digestive health in Europe!?

WHO Europe?

In addition to strengthening our advocacy in the European Parliament, we engage with global partners like WHO/Europe to shape comprehensive health strategies. Our focus includes addressing social determinants of health, nutrition, and obesity and ensuring digestive diseases and cancers are recognized as key non-communicable diseases (NCDs).?

This year, we contributed to WHO’s NCDs consultation, supporting the inclusion of digestive diseases ahead of the 2025 UN General Assembly, where world leaders will set a vision to prevent and control NCDs.?

On December 11, 2024, UEG participated in the European Alcohol Health Alliance Symposium in Copenhagen, hosted by WHO Regional Office for Europe in collaboration with the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL). The event emphasised the importance of coordinated actions in alcohol policy and prevention and explored a collaborative initiative to address alcohol-related harms across the WHO European Region. We congratulate EASL | The Home of Hepatology and WHO/Europe on this important initiative and look forward to continuing our collaboration to achieve lasting social change in tackling alcohol-related harms.?

Awareness Week on Alcohol Related Harm 2024?

For this year’s European Awareness Week on Alcohol Related Harm (AWARH24) from 3 – 6 December, we joined forces with the European Alcohol Policy Alliance - Eurocare , ?the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), and other NGOs to highlight the urgent need for mandatory alcohol labelling in the EU, emphasising citizens’ right to know what’s in their drinks and make informed health choices. Our exhibition at the European Parliament , themed “Alcohol Labelling: The Right to Know,” aimed to raise awareness among Members of the European Parliament and other policymakers.?

Read our press release.?

While EU-wide food labelling systems like Nutri-Score remain fragmented and stalled, public health experts stress the importance of clear alcohol labelling, including health warnings, as alcohol is a carcinogen with no safe consumption level. Despite industry resistance, Ireland and Lithuania have implemented pioneering laws requiring cancer and pregnancy-related warnings, setting a strong example for others.??

Given the strong evidence linking alcohol to digestive diseases and cancers, mandatory labelling of alcohol products with health information and calorie content is one of several vital steps needed to reduce harmful consumption and improve digestive health. Learn more about our policy recommendations on primary prevention.?

European Cancer Summit & World Pancreatic Cancer Day 2024?

From 20 – 21 November, the European Cancer Community gathered in Brussels for the European Cancer Summit 2024. Among the event's distinguished speakers, UEG Public Affairs Group Member Maria Butí shared her expertise on HPV and Hepatitis B, while UEG President Matthias L?hr emphasised the urgent need for increased research funding for pancreatic cancer.?

November 21 also marked World Pancreatic Cancer Day. Together with Pancreatic Cancer Europe , the European Pancreatic Club (EPC), Digestive Cancers Europe , and Cancer Patients Europe - CPE , we developed a series of video messages with key policy asks to enhance early detection, treatment, and research funding for pancreatic cancer. Watch the video messages from UEG experts Matthias L?hr and Patrick Michl & read our position paper.?

In addition, November was the month for Malnutrition Awareness Weeks 2024. Together with European stakeholders, including patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, UEG supported the campaign aimed at raising awareness about malnutrition and advocating for equal access to nutritional care for all European citizens.?

Highlights from UEG Week 2024?

With UEG Week 2024 in Vienna nearly two months behind us, it’s the perfect moment to look back at the key advocacy highlights from this year’s congress.?

Launching the Transitional Care Report?

On October 13, the second edition of the Digestive Health Roundtable brought together representatives of European Patient Organisations, European Reference Networks (ERNs) and members of our Public Affairs Group. During the event, we were delighted to launch our latest publication, “Enhancing Transitional Care in Digestive Health: Addressing Challenges and Implementing Strategies Across Europe.”??

This report addresses the critical challenges faced by adolescents with digestive diseases transitioning from paediatric to adult care. Designed for healthcare professionals and policymakers, it offers actionable solutions to improve patient outcomes.?

We encourage you all to read and download the report and share and present its findings at conferences and events using the dedicated slide set available on our website.?

For further insights, explore our dedicated Opinion Editorial in Hospital Healthcare Europe.?

We thank all participants of the Digestive Health Roundtable for their valuable contributions and look forward to continuing this collaborative format – stay tuned!?

Advancing Colorectal Cancer Screening in Austria

On October 15, in collaboration with our Austrian National Member Society (?GGH), we hosted a policy roundtable to address colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention and screening in Austria.?

Unlike many European countries, Austria still lacks a nationwide CRC screening program. Medical experts from UEG and ?GGH, alongside Austrian healthcare, health policy, and patient organisation representatives, reviewed scientific evidence and European best practices to emphasise the importance of implementing such a program in Austria.?

For more details, read our press release.?

Standardising Gastroenterology Training Across Europe?

Training for gastroenterologists varies widely across Europe, prompting UEG to launch efforts aimed at harmonisation.

Discover key insights from UEG’s analysis of national GI curricula and the role European societies play in bridging national systems to enhance and standardise GI education. Read the full opinion editorial in Hospital Healthcare Europe.?

Horizon Europe & Digestive Health?

At UEG, we're?passionate about advancing research in digestive health and supporting innovative ideas. Learn more about the opportunities available through Horizon Europe-funded projects and how UEG can support you.?

New Advocacy Group on My Connect!?

Are you part of our myUEG Community and want to stay informed and inspired in the world of health advocacy and policy? Join our brand-new Advocacy Group on My Connect! This dedicated space offers:?

• Regular updates and highlights from our advocacy work.?

• Announcements about upcoming events, webinars, and more.?

• Insights and resources to support your advocacy efforts.?

Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for our next issue in March 2025. If you have any questions about UEG Public Affairs & Advocacy activities, please don’t hesitate to contact us.?

Best wishes,?

The UEG Public Affairs & Advocacy Team?