WGO
For Release 26 May 2017
Milwaukee, WI, USA -- 26 May 2017 -- Every 29 May, the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) celebrates World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) and initiates a worldwide, public health campaign through its more than 100 member societies and regional affiliates which reach over 50,000 individual gastroenterologists, hepatologists, GI surgeons, and other health care professionals worldwide. Each year focuses upon a particular digestive or liver disorder, with the focus for 2017 being Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Led by Chairman, Dr. Charles Bernstein (Canada), the goal of the WDHD 2017 campaign is to raise awareness of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, a group of idiopathic chronic inflammatory intestinal conditions. WDHD aims to provide a broad overview of this increasingly common disease by providing gastroenterologists, their patients and the lay public, with an understanding of the latest basic and clinical research in the pathogenesis, investigation, and treatment of IBD. 'Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Navigating Evolving Therapies in an Evolving Disease' is the WDHD campaign theme for 2017 and seeks to translate research into clinical practice and facilitate communication between physicians, pharmacists, allied health professionals, healthcare payers, and the public. According to Dr. Charles Bernstein, “We want to ensure that patients receive appropriate dietary and lifestyle advice as well as appropriate investigations and treatment, relevant to their condition and circumstances. Furthermore, we want to ensure awareness of the disease and its management is raised in countries where IBD is being increasingly and newly diagnosed.”
The task of WGO is supported by a Steering Committee with a global perspective. The Steering Committee provides expertise on IBD, guiding the course of the campaign and the development of the educational and training materials, in collaboration with WGO Member Societies, WGO Regional Affiliates, WGO Training Centers, and other WGO global partners, which define this initiative and provide the resources to sustain the effort throughout the year. To meet the WDHD 2017 Steering Committee, visit http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/wgo-foundation/wdhd/wdhd-2017/meet-the-steering-committee.
Web pages devoted to the WDHD campaign are created each year, which consist of tools and resources, the WGO Global Guideline and Cascade on IBD, information about this year's campaign partners, information for physicians and patients, an area to submit a WDHD event and a section featuring what countries, societies, training centers, and other partners are doing to celebrate WDHD. To access all of the highlights and happenings of WDHD 2017, visit http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/wgo-foundation/wdhd/wdhd-2017.
WGO President-Elect and Chair of the WGO Foundation, Dr. Cihan Yurdaydin (Turkey) shares his thoughts on WDHD, “Throughout 2017, events will take place around the globe by WGO Member Societies, WGO Training Centers, WGO Regional Affiliates and undertaken by our partners and supporters in celebration of WDHD 2017. Past events organized have included lectures, press conferences, symposia, walkathons, patient awareness camps, creating a World Digestive Health Week, and much more. WGO extends our many thanks to all supporters of WDHD, today and throughout the year, for helping us advocate and raise awareness of IBD!"
On 29 May, WGO will celebrate WDHD with a 24-hour social media blitz, beginning at 00:00 GMT/UTC. Every hour of the day, WGO will post content to engage with followers around the world. To join the conversation in support of WDHD 2017, snap, post and share original photos and videos of World Digestive Health Day 2017 celebrations and/or wear blue in support of the campaign. Tag WGO on Facebook (World Digestive Health Day - WDHD) and/or Twitter (@WGOF_WDHD), and be sure to include #WDHD2017 and #YearofIBD in the post. To learn more about how to interact with WGO on social media, visit http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/about-wgo/media-center/social-media.
Formed in 1935 and incorporated in 1958, The World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) is a federation of over 100 member societies and 4 regional associations of gastroenterology, hepatology, and other related disciplines representing more than 50,000 individual members worldwide, focusing on the improvement of standards in gastroenterology training and education on a global scale. The WGO Foundation (WGOF), incorporated in 2007, is dedicated to raising funds to support WGO educational programs and activities.
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| For more information, press only: Ranelle Graber, Program Manager WGO and WGO Foundation +1 (414) 918-9798 rgraber@worldgastroenterology.org |
For more information on WGO and WGOF: |
