ICPO Representative Catherine O’Sullivan and Executive Director Susie Birney were delighted to attend the first-ever National Meeting of the United Kingdom Coalition for People Living with Obesity (UKCPO), held in Liverpool as part of World Obesity Day activities.
The event marked an important milestone for the newly established organisation, bringing together people living with obesity, healthcare professionals, advocates, and stakeholders from across the United Kingdom to discuss the future of obesity care, treatment, advocacy, and support.
The meeting featured a range of presentations and discussions covering the science of obesity, stigma, lived experience, treatment options, and the challenges faced by people living with obesity. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in workshops designed to identify priorities for UKCPO’s future work and advocacy efforts.
For ICPO, the event provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships with colleagues across the United Kingdom and to share experiences of patient advocacy and support. As organisations led by and for people living with obesity, both ICPO and UKCPO recognise the importance of ensuring that lived experience is at the heart of policy development, healthcare service design, and public conversations about obesity.
The meeting also highlighted the growing momentum behind patient-led advocacy across these islands. While healthcare systems may differ, many of the challenges faced by people living with obesity are shared, including stigma, unequal access to care, and the need for greater understanding of obesity as a complex chronic disease.
Catherine and Susie were pleased to support UKCPO during this landmark event and to witness the enthusiasm, passion, and commitment of those involved in establishing the organisation. The strong turnout demonstrated the demand for patient-led support, education, and advocacy services throughout the United Kingdom.
ICPO congratulates UKCPO on the success of its inaugural National Meeting and looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively on shared priorities in the years ahead. By working together, patient organisations can amplify the voices of people living with obesity and help drive meaningful improvements in care, treatment, and support across Ireland, the United Kingdom, and beyond.
As World Obesity Day reminds us each year, addressing obesity requires collaboration, understanding, and action. Events such as UKCPO’s first National Meeting are an important step towards achieving that goal.
