On November 3rd and 4th, 2024, four members of the European Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ECPO) participated in the Global Heart Unite Summit in Dublin, Ireland. The event, themed “Connections,” brought together organisations from 37 countries, creating a platform to share patient stories and clinician insights.
The discussions highlighted stark disparities in access to healthcare across different nations, with some patients unable to obtain vital treatment. Women’s experiences, in particular, revealed a troubling trend of being unheard by healthcare systems—an issue all attendees agreed needs urgent attention.
Workshops over the two days emphasised the need to bridge communication gaps across healthcare services. The prevalence of fragmented, siloed approaches to care underscored the importance of integrating patient information and fostering collaboration among health professionals. Notably, two women demonstrated an innovative solution by using a phone app to store and share regularly updated health records with their care teams—showing the potential of technology in improving care coordination.
Karen Coleman, the Summit’s moderator, was praised for her insightful questioning and ability to bring out the best in both patients and professionals. Her facilitation ensured that all voices were heard, driving impactful dialogue throughout the event.
Representing ECPO, Maura Murphy took the stage as a panelist on Day 1, addressing stigma, barriers, and bias experienced by patients with obesity. She credited her colleagues Andrew Healing, Diana Castillo, and Natasja Wijling for their unwavering support, which helped her deliver her message with confidence.
Neil Johnson, Executive Director of Global Heart Hub (GHH), expressed his delight at ECPO’s participation, acknowledging the powerful impact of their contributions. By introducing concepts like People First Language and sharing personal experiences of stigma to an audience primarily focused on heart, liver, and kidney health, the ECPO team successfully broadened perspectives and fostered greater inclusivity.
The Summit proved to be a meaningful step in addressing systemic issues, building global connections, and ensuring that the voices of patients, especially women, are heard and valued.