5 Trends Impacting Patient Access in 2024

1. Prevention and Screening Saves Lives and Resources

Vaccines and immunizations are critical in safeguarding communities from RSV and other contagious bacterial and viral infections. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers are embracing public health strategies that protect communities from infectious diseases. Learn more about how Europe is embracing a post-pandemic health strategy and employing public health campaigns to reduce infectious respiratory diseases in “Infectious Respiratory Disease in Europe: The Pathway to Protection“.

Too often, patients with are unaware of their condition until diagnosed in the latter stages. By then long term damage has been sustained and the course of treatment has grown more intensive, costly and burdensome. In chronic kidney disease earlier stage detection can be achieved through greater access to diagnostic screening for at-risk populations. The medical advisory council of the Global Patient Alliance for Kidney Health recently released a policy brief detailing strategies to address the gathering global storm of CKD by prioritizing screening.

2. Combatting Misinformation Through Awareness

Health misinformation spread by science skeptics on social media platforms is undermining the clinician-patient relationship and costing lives. Partnered with GAfPA, cardiovascular disease stakeholders are combatting misinformation about the risk of high unmanaged LDL cholesterol by producing trusted localized resources featuring the real-world lived experience of patients and providers. Listen to patient advocate, Warren Petterson, as he takes you through his journey of familial hypercholesterolemia or FH.

3. Targeting Remission Works

Remission is possible for some patients living with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The abatement of symptoms including joint pain, swelling, and tenderness can drastically improve patients’ quality of life. GAfPA heard from patient advocates and health care professionals about the value of achieving remission, including reduced hospitalizations, lower annual costs, and improved quality of life. Read more.

4. Equitable Access to Clinical Trials Starts with Awareness

Patients deserve high-quality care, regardless of where they live. Clinical trials are an essential part of developing new medicines and diagnostic tools, but they suffer from low enrollment, lack of awareness and a lack of diversity of participants. Learn more about how policymakers can improve clinical trials in Latin America and beyond, investing in the innovation and research that offers patients the next generation of treatments and cures in “Patient Access to Clinical Trials in Latin America“.

5. Holistic Care Improves Outcomes

Chronic diseases present multiple challenges, especially for patients’ blood health. Anemia, a deficiency in red blood cells, is often one of them, placing a heavy burden on individual health, quality of life and public health. Learn how holistic solutions like patient blood management can strengthen clinical practices and improve patient outcomes in “Fast Facts: Chronic Disease, Anemia, & Blood Health“.

In 2025, in all corners of the globe, GAfPA will continue to build partnerships, while engaging and empowering stakeholders towards its mission of advancing patient-centered healthcare.