We are pleased to share our plans for next year´s World IBD Day 2025!
Building on last year’s theme, “IBD Has No Borders,” we will continue our journey into 2025, focusing on : “IBD Has No Borders: Breaking Taboos, Talking About It.”
We are working on a social media campaign to address the taboos surrounding IBD that often prevent open discussions about bowel movements — a critical issue for those living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). These taboos are frequently linked to social and cultural discomfort with discussing bodily functions openly, making it difficult for people with IBD to share their experiences or express their needs without feeling embarrassed or ashamed.
To support this social media campaign, we will soon launch a social media toolkit, providing resources to help raise awareness and encourage conversations around this important topic.
By raising awareness of the unique challenges people face worldwide, we aim to foster a more inclusive conversation about the taboo and stigma around IBD. We will engage with communities across different regions where discussing bowel health may be particularly difficult, working to normalise these conversations and make it easier for people to seek understanding and support.
Our goal is to break the taboos surrounding IBD so that people feel able to talk openly about what they’re experiencing. This isn’t just about awareness—it’s about improving health outcomes. Open conversations can lead to earlier diagnosis, better management of the disease, and ultimately, a stronger support system for those living with IBD.
Our specific objectives are to:
- Increase Awareness: By challenging societal norms and taboos around bowel health, we aim to normalise conversations about IBD, making it easier for people to talk openly about their experiences.
- Encourage Engagement: We invite people with IBD, advocates, healthcare professionals, and policymakers from around the world to participate, share, and engage in these important discussions.
- Improve Health Outcomes: By promoting openness, we hope to positively influence clinical practices, encourage early diagnosis, and ensure better care for IBD patients globally.
This campaign will ultimately break down taboos, foster global dialogue, and highlight the serious impact that societal discomfort around these topics has on the lives of people with IBD.
Together, we will demonstrate that while IBD knows no borders, taboo and stigma can—and should—be broken.
If you are part of a national IBD association, let us know your plans for World IBD Day 2025, and let’s discuss how we can collaborate on this initiative.
For more information please write to: bella.haaf@efcca.org