European Liver Patients Association

Institute Presentation

ELPA‘s aims are to promote the interests of people with liver disease and in particular:

• to highlight the size of the problem
• to promote awareness and prevention
• to address the low profile of liver disease as compared to other areas of medicine such as heart disease
• to share experience of successful initiatives
• to work with professional bodies such as the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and with the EU to ensure that treatment and care are harmonized across Europe to the highest standards

ELPA emerged from a desire amongst European liver patient groups to share their experiences of the often very different approaches adopted in different countries. In June 2004, 13 patient groups from 10 European and Mediterranean Basin countries met to create the association. ELPA was formally launched in Paris on April 14th 2005 during the International Liver Congress (ILC), and by now has 31 members from 25 countries.

ELPA’s vision is that all liver patients are diagnosed in time, are treated with respect, and have equal access to the best standard of medical care – regardless of origin, lifestyle, and type of liver disease. Our ultimate goal is a world without liver diseases. Our values are equality, respect for diversity, patient-driven commitment and transparency.

In A-TANGO, ELPA actively supports WP7 efforts regarding the dissemination, communication and training efforts of the project.