EAACI Patients Organisation Committee News Archive

The EAACI Patients Organisation Committee (POC) aims to be the patients reference body in the field of Allergology, representing patients of all nationalities across the globe, and promoting patient-centred healthcare in the specialty. The POC is currently comprised of 33 members which are patient support organizations working at the local, national, regional and international levels. The committee aims to build cross-sector alliances and working collaboratively with EAACI members, policy makers, and industry representatives. Activities undertaken by the POC include:

• Providing EAACI with the patient and carer real life experience of living with allergic diseases and asthma
• Engaging and contributing patient perspectives through participation in EAACI Sections, Conferences, Interest Groups, Working Groups, Committees, and Task Forces
• Building cross-sector alliances and promoting collaboration between patient group members and other EAACI members, policy makers, and industry representatives with specific focus on priorities that are common across geographies
• Bringing patient organisations from around the world to discuss, align and promote patient-organisation led education, advocacy and research initiatives
• Building broad based awareness of the burden of allergic diseases and asthma

The POC meets 4 to 6 times per year virtually and pre-covid, would meet in person at one EAACI conference per year and focused meetings such as FAAM and PAAM. These sessions provide the forum to discuss common issues, align on actions and share best practices. Most recently, they have provided a good platform to discuss international efforts at CODEX and engage in global research priorities.

EAACI POC is truly international in its focus with representation from 30 countries listed at this link. With this representation, it is well positioned to work with EAACI in support of patient needs on a global scale.