MEPs for Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease Action
2024 – 2029 legislative term
About the group
The “MEPs for RMD Action” interest group aims to raise political awareness of the unsustainable burden of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs) on Europe’s citizens, workforce, health systems & economy.
This group brings together MEPs from different countries and political groups – who recognise that pain-free mobility is the foundation of all health and employment – to advocate for EU policies and programmes that improve the treatment and care of people living with RMDs and can prevent Europe’s escalating RMD crisis. Our members believe that European cooperation adds value to Member States’ action.
Group members
Interest group membership is restricted to Members of the European Parliament elected for the 2024-2029 term. More details on how to join is provided below.
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About Europe's escalating RMD crisis
Europe's RMD burden in numbers:
To find out more about the burden of Europe's escalating RMD crisis, please download EULAR's one-pager summarising the issue.
Why should you join MEPs for RMD Action?
Knowledge
Participating MEPs will receive the latest insights from clinical practice and research on the prevalence, impact, treatment and care of RMDs.
Impact
Although often hidden, during their lifetime almost every EU citizen will experience directly or indirectly some of the physical or psychological health impacts, or economic consequences, of RMDs.
Visibility
Active engagement in “MEPs for RMD Action” can enhance visibility on health and employment issues, resulting in speaking and media opportunities. The group’s Secretariat is working actively to promote its members’ efforts to mitigate Europe’s escalating RMD crisis.
Network
During the course of the mandate, active members will have the opportunity to build relationships with RMD patient and health workforce communities. The secretariat will also offer opportunities to meet EU Commission officials and national decision-makers.
How the group works
MEPs for RMD Action holds an annual planning meeting in December / January each year, in addition to two public meetings in the European Parliament. Meetings can take the form of debates, workshops, or webinars to discuss public health, social policy and research developments, monitor progress, and advocate for future actions.
MEPs are free to decide on their level of involvement in meetings and other activities, depending on their interests and agendas. Nonetheless, MEPs are highly encouraged to take part in at least one activity a year.
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Follow the group on Social Media
Follow the group on social media to promote MEPs for RMD Action:
Related Information
EULAR Advocacy Newsletter
EULAR is committed to bringing rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) onto the EU's agenda. Sign up to the EULAR Advocacy newsletter to keep up with the changes that our organisation is working towards in the area of policy and legislation to help achieve better social and economic outcomes for the many millions of people affected by these chronic and debilitating diseases across Europe.
About EULAR Advocacy
EU Advocacy is a key activity for a European umbrella organisation like the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR).
EULAR Advocacy Partnerships
EULAR is committed to partner with organisations and scientific medical societies at a EU and national level towards improving research funding, social policy legislation and quality of care; assisting advocacy actions on the national and international levels around rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
EULAR RheumaMap
A Research Roadmap to transform the lives of people with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases.
EULAR Policy Statements
As part of its advocacy activities, EULAR produces and adopts a number of documents and declarations that are used to express EULAR’s position and/or demands on different policy issues.
Links To Other Organisations
Partnerships that help to increase the knowledge of the organisations involved and the impact they can have on the political stage.
RMD Definition
EULAR description on Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs)