In his concluding remarks at the 7th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension, Prof. Marc Humbert highlighted the impressive diversity and scale of the event. The symposium hosted 1,697 participants, including 1,102 healthcare professionals, from various specialties, 124 task force members, and 471 industry staff, from over 60 countries. This diversity underscores the global effort and collaborative approach essential for advancing pulmonary hypertension awareness, advocacy, and research.
Six patient associations were present with a booth and delegates: PHA Europe, Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK, Pulmonary Hypertension Association, Alliance for Pulmonary Hypertension, Sociedad Latina de Hipertensión Pulmonar, and PHA Japan. Three patients, Pisana Ferrari Colleen Brunetti, M.Ed, C.H.C. and Hall Skaara, and one patient advocate, Gergely Meszaros JD, MSc, were included in task force n. 1 on Patient Perspectives, and in total about 30 patients were present at the Symposium.
Having the Patient Perspective Task Force present first, on the opening day, set the tone for the meeting, and served as a poignant reminder that the efforts of all stakeholders involved are ultimately for the patients. It further underscored the essential role of patient voices in shaping discussions, strategies, and innovations in pulmonary hypertension.
We look forward to the 8th World Symposium in 2029, where, as patients, we hope to see continued progress in awareness, advocacy, and treatment advancements. Our goal remains to ensure that patient perspectives remain at the forefront of these efforts.
