World Rare Disease Day

Rare Diseases and Health Inequalities

The main purpose of World Day for Rare Diseases is to focus on informing the public about rare diseases and their impact on patients' lives, as well as the highlighting their seriousness as a priority of health issues.

It was established in 2008 because, according to the European Organization for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS), treatment for many rare diseases is insufficient, as are the social networks to support individuals with rare diseases and their families; furthermore, while there were already numerous days dedicated to sufferers of individual diseases (such as AIDS, cancer, etc.), there had previously not been a day for representing sufferers of rare diseases.

Theme for 2011 is "Rare Diseases and Health Inequalities", to focus on differences for rare disease patients between and within countries, and compared to other segments of society, in order to ensure equal access for patients to health care, social services and rights, and to orphan drugs and treatments.

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