Promoting Pain Research and Education 

We aim to raise awareness of pain science among healthcare professionals by advocating for pain education for healthcare professionals, patients, policymakers, and the wider public. We aim to strengthen the case for pain relief as a core element of human dignity, health equity, and quality of life, aligning with EU values and international obligations. At the same time, we ask policy makers for increased investment in research programmes to better understand the societal impact of pain and overcome current barriers in pain education, treatment and management. 

We aim to identify and analyse gaps in national and European funding for pain research — including basic science, clinical, and epidemiological studies — with a particular focus on the societal impact of pain. Based on this analysis, we aim to develop recommendations that reflect the priorities of civil society and scientific community. Therefore, we call on policy makers to take these into account when shaping future EU Framework Programmes. 

We also call for coordinated action to foster education and awareness of pain across Europe. That includes sharing best practice, addressing knowledge gaps, and advancing pain education for healthcare professionals, patients, policymakers, and the general public. 

We call on the European Commission to: 

• Prioritise investment in pain research across EU framework programmes, employment, and health policy, with emphasis on the societal impact of pain. 
• Include pain as a thematic area within mission-oriented and innovation programmes (e.g. Horizon Europe), covering topics such as effective treatment models, screening tools, e- and m-health, behavioural and systems-level research, cellular and molecular mechanisms, and precision medicine. Social science should be integrated to ensure a holistic approach. 
• Support national governments in sharing best practices (e.g. patient and professional education). 
• Promote awareness-raising campaigns and public information initiatives to foster societal understanding of pain as a public health priority. 
• Promote research and innovation in digital pain management tools, such as mobile health (mHealth) apps, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine platforms that support personalised care and early intervention. 

We call on National Governments to: 

• Initiate patient education programmes and information campaigns in order to create public awareness of the short and long-term consequences of inadequate access to pain treatment, while promoting prevention and early intervention. 
• Promote wider access to pain education within healthcare professions, especially to all those involved with assessing and treating pain, and including those supporting people with conditions for which pain is a comorbidity 
• Allocate further investment in research (basic science, clinical, and epidemiological) on the societal impact of pain and make funds available through employment and health policy and research and innovation programmes. 

Our commitments: 

• Patient groups, healthcare professionals, and researchers foster the dissemination of research outcomes to their community and support a patient-led approach to pain research. 
• Civil society, healthcare professionals and patient groups share best practices on pain education for patients, healthcare professionals, politicians and the broader community. 
• Civil society, healthcare professionals and patient groups continue working on their educational programmes and projects targeted to these audiences.