UEG Establishes Patient Representatives Advisory Board to Enhance Digestive Health Advocacy
The United European Gastroenterology has launched a new advisory board aimed at integrating patient perspectives into digestive health initiatives.
The Patient Representatives Advisory Board (PRAB) was launched on October 18, 2026, during UEG Week in Barcelona.
The board aims to strengthen collaboration between UEG and patient organizations, ensuring that patient voices are integral to health policy and research.
Patient representatives from various organizations expressed their support for the PRAB, emphasizing its role in addressing shared challenges in digestive health.
On October 18, 2026, the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) inaugurated its Patient Representatives Advisory Board (PRAB) at UEG Week in Barcelona. This initiative is designed to create a structured platform for incorporating patient insights into UEG's public affairs and broader efforts to enhance digestive health across Europe.
The establishment of the PRAB is a significant step in UEG's ongoing commitment to empower individuals living with digestive diseases. This move follows UEG's previous collaborations with patient organizations, notably the Digestive Health Roundtable 2025, which advocated for the inclusion of patient perspectives in health policy and research.
As an independent advisory body, the PRAB will facilitate patient-centered contributions to UEG's activities. It aims to establish a formal connection between UEG and the European patient community, focusing on identifying common challenges related to digestive diseases and fostering collaboration with various patient organizations. UEG President, Professor Joost PH Drenth, emphasized the importance of integrating patient perspectives from the outset to effectively address their needs.
During the launch at the Digestive Health Roundtable 2026, discussions involved patient representatives, clinicians, and researchers exploring how to incorporate patient perspectives into digestive health research. Topics included patient-reported outcome measures and the development of practical toolkits for enhancing patient involvement throughout the research lifecycle.
Looking ahead, the PRAB is expected to play a crucial role in shaping UEG's public affairs activities and ensuring that the priorities of patients are reflected in the organization's initiatives. The collaborative efforts of the PRAB will be vital in addressing the challenges faced by individuals with digestive diseases and enhancing advocacy efforts across Europe.
