Currently chronic diseases are one of the heaviest burdens of health and social care systems in Latvia and Europe in general. Considering ageing of the population and increase in life expectancy, regardless of the type of disease, it is in the interests of chronic patients to reintegrate in full-fledged social and economic life, and participate in the workforce as much as possible, thus becoming a long-term economic investment, not a burden. To facilitate this, it is important that patient organizations act in collaboration with professionals, decision-makers and other stakeholders, emphasizing issues at the national and international level, and offering action-oriented solutions.

Goal of the conference is to promote cooperation between patient organizations, professionals, decision-makers and other stakeholders at the European level; identify the issues in relation to chronic patients’ reintegration in active economic and social life; prepare action-oriented recommendations, which will be included in the common Resolution in order to improve chronic patients’ opportunities to participate in active economic and social life.

Participants of the conference are European level patient organizations, associations, leading Latvian and European experts, law and policy makers. Conference is organized by Latvian Cancer Patient Support Society "Dzīvības Koks" in cooperation with Pulmonary Hypertension Society and Patient Ombudsman.