The XX European Patients’ Rights Day, held on 12 May 2026 at the European Parliament in Brussels, marked an important milestone in the discussion on the future of healthcare in Europe. Organised by Cittadinanzattiva and its EU branch, the Active Citizenship Network, within the framework of the EU-funded PROPHET project, the event brought together representatives of European institutions, researchers, patient organisations, healthcare professionals, industry and civil society to explore the role of personalised prevention in shaping more sustainable and citizen-centred health systems.
A key outcome of the event was the presentation of the PROPHET Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and the Personalised Prevention Roadmap, which provide a structured framework for integrating personalised prevention into healthcare systems across Europe. The discussion highlighted that moving from treatment-oriented healthcare to prevention-oriented systems requires stronger governance, interoperable data infrastructures, cross-sector collaboration and sustained investment in implementation.
Participants also agreed that technological innovation alone is not sufficient. Throughout the discussions, a common message emerged: personalised prevention will only succeed if citizens and patients are recognised as active partners in the design, implementation and governance of future healthcare policies. Building trust, ensuring equitable access, improving health literacy and protecting personal data were identified as essential conditions for the successful adoption of personalised prevention across Europe.
The stakeholder roundtable, involving representatives from the European Commission, the European Patients’ Forum, the European Society of Human Genetics, EP PerMed and EFPIA, reinforced the need for coordinated European action to address challenges related to genomics, data governance, equity and citizen engagement.
The event also demonstrated the growing interest in the topic, attracting participants from 18 countries in person and receiving more than 150 online participation requests from 34 countries. This broad participation confirmed the relevance of personalised prevention for patients, healthcare professionals and policymakers across Europe.
The main takeaway from the 2026 European Patients’ Rights Day is clear: innovation alone is not enough. The future of personalised prevention depends on combining scientific advances with trust, participation, transparency and equity, ensuring that every citizen can benefit from more proactive, personalised and inclusive healthcare.
Watch the video summary of the event HERE.