Category: solidarity

International Day of Persons with Disabilities — 3 December

A day of awareness, commitment, and action

The International Disability Day, also known as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December), established by the United Nations in 1992, serves as an annual reminder of the need for full inclusion, equality, and respect for the rights of persons with disabilities across all aspects of social life. Moreover, today, more than ever, promoting accessibility and inclusion is not optional — it is an obligation.

According to the World Health Organization (2024), approximately 1.3 billion people — 16% of the global population — live with some form of disability. Disability is part of human diversity, and the lived experience of it highlights the systemic inequalities that continue to exist in many countries, including Greece. As a result, the need for stronger inclusion policies becomes increasingly evident.

These global figures highlight why International Disability Day remains a vital call to action worldwide.

Challenges and inequalities in Greece

In Greece, persons with disabilities still face significant barriers in their daily lives: inadequate accessibility in public spaces and services, difficulties in mobility, limited access to employment, and persistent social stigma that deeply affects their quality of life. National data confirm that these inequalities have direct consequences on health, education, and participation in social and economic life.

At the same time, improving accessibility is not only about removing barriers — it is about shaping a society that recognizes the real needs of its people. Therefore, from training professionals and changing attitudes, to ensuring universal access to healthcare and psychosocial support, inclusion requires sustained commitment. Only then can we guarantee that every citizen has equal opportunities, dignity, and participation.

Kapa3’s perspective: A world where every voice is heard

At the Cancer Patient Guidance Centre – Kapa3, we support individuals facing serious health challenges every day. We understand how essential the following are:

  • clear and accessible information
  •  timely support
  •  respect
  •  care without exclusions

Learn more about the rights of Persons with Disabilities in the following publications on our website here.

Find information about issuing a disability card here, and about free or reduced public transportation fares here.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that every action and every policy must be built on the principle of inclusion.
No one should be left behind.

Building more inclusive societies: From vision to practice

Creating a truly accessible environment requires:

  • Accessible cities and public services
  •  Training for professionals in health, social care, and customer service
  •  Accessible digital technologies
  •  Employment policies that enable active participation
  •  Awareness-raising and dialogue to combat stigma

Inclusion is not an act of “good will” — it is a prerequisite for social progress.

At the same time, the transition to a genuinely inclusive society is not instantaneous. It requires coordinated efforts from the State, civil society, and persons with disabilities themselves. Continuous evaluation, transparency, and meaningful participation are the foundations of lasting change.

Access is a right.
Every person deserves respect and equal opportunities.

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Sources

 

World AIDS Day — December 1

World AIDS Day is a powerful reminder that the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over. Despite remarkable progress in recent decades, millions of people worldwide are still living with the virus. At the same time, inequalities in access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment continue to cost lives.

Established in 1988 as the first international health-related awareness day, World AIDS Day has since served as a global call for informed action, early diagnosis, destigmatization and equitable care.

What We Know Today About HIV/AIDS

According to recent UNAIDS data, more than 39 million people are living with HIV globally — and thanks to modern treatments, they can live full and healthy lives.

The science is encouraging. Antiretroviral therapy (ART/ARVs) allows people on treatment to reach undetectable viral loads, which means they cannot transmit the virus (“Undetectable = Untransmittable”).

Yet despite this progress, new infections still occur — mainly in communities facing social exclusion, economic hardship, or limited access to healthcare services. At the same time, lack of information and persistent stigma remain major barriers that delay testing and treatment.

HIV & Cancer: An Important Connection

The link between HIV and several forms of cancer isn’t widely known, yet it is significant:

  • People living with HIV have a higher risk of cervical cancer due to the more persistent presence of HPV.
  • Increased risk is also observed for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Kaposi sarcoma and several cancers associated with chronic viral infections.
  • Early diagnosis, continuous treatment and regular screening significantly reduce these risks.

At Kapa3, we have published articles on the importance of screening and patient empowerment, which you can find here: Article1, Article2, Article3, Article4, Article5.

The Situation in Greece

Greece has made important progress in recent years, thanks to the operation of Checkpoints, the support of NGOs and prevention structures, the spread of PrEP, and improved access to treatment.

In 2024, Greece recorded a small decrease (4%) in new HIV diagnoses compared to 2023, according to the Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY). However, underdiagnosis remains a real concern. Many people avoid timely testing due to stigma and fear of discrimination.

Prevention: What Each of Us Can Do

  • Testing: a simple test can save lives.
  • Condom use & comprehensive sexual education.
  • PrEP & PEP: modern and effective prevention tools.
  • Eliminating stigma: information and open dialogue remain our strongest forms of protection.
  • Supporting facilities that provide access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
A Human Rights Issue

At Kapa3, we believe World AIDS Day concerns all of us. Access to healthcare is a fundamental right. No one should be afraid to get tested, speak openly or seek support.

According to International Human Rights Law, discrimination based on HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, health status (including substance use), or sex work constitutes a violation of human rights.

World AIDS Day reminds us that knowledge, prevention and solidarity save lives — and that a world without new HIV infections is possible.

Sources

  • UNAIDS
  • HIV.gov
  • AIDS Healthcare Foundation
  • EODY (Hellenic National Public Health Organization)

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Rethinking Solidarity in Health – A European Perspective

Health Systems Under Pressure in Europe

Across Europe, health systems face mounting pressures. Workforce shortages, uneven access, and entrenched inequalities leave many citizens underserved, and public trust in institutions is eroding. The pandemic briefly rekindled a sense of shared responsibility, yet shifting geopolitical tensions and economic priorities have since drawn attention away from collective well-being. This context raises a vital question: what does solidarity in health mean in Europe today? This context was highlighted at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2025, where policymakers, civil society representatives, and health experts discussed the challenges and opportunities for solidarity in health across Europe.

Health is not merely a commodity; it is the foundation for social cohesion and long-term resilience. Investing in preventive care, mental health, and social support is not a trade-off with economic competitiveness — it is a prerequisite. In the European Union alone, premature deaths in 2022 accounted for 2.4 million lost work-years, highlighting the societal and economic consequences of insufficient early action. Across member states, access to care remains uneven, chronic diseases are on the rise, and innovations are not uniformly available, leaving vulnerable populations facing overlapping disadvantages.

The Role of Preventive Care and Mental Health

Solidarity in health demands action at every level. Primary and community care serve as the first line of defense, with multidisciplinary teams — including doctors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers — partnering with civil society organisations to reach underserved groups. Examples from Andalusia, Portugal, and Estonia’s e-consultation payment model show how coordinated, person-centred approaches build trust, improve access, and empower citizens. Prevention, early detection, and health literacy must complement innovation, ensuring no one is left behind. In the EU, the average diagnostic delay for asthma is 4.5 years, underlining the need for timely, equitable care.

Digital Health Innovation and Equity

Digital transformation presents both promise and challenge. AI, big data, and digital health tools can enhance early detection and patient monitoring. They also improve system efficiency. However, they risk amplifying bias and mistrust if governance is weak.. Europe’s task is to combine innovation with ethical oversight, embedding transparency, accountability, and accessibility into every design decision. Initiatives like the European Health Data Space (EHDS) aim to unify interoperability, research, and patient empowerment under one framework, giving citizens control over their health data while supporting innovation and equity.

Health systems also intersect with broader social and environmental challenges. Climate change, rising social inequalities, and ageing populations disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, while end-of-life care and rare diseases expose gaps in equity, research, and policy. Across Europe, collaborative solutions — from shared patient pathways to cross-border networks — are essential. Health contributes approximately 10% of EU GDP and 9% of employment, demonstrating its central role in both social and economic stability. Public funding, strategic investment in long-term care, and multi-sector collaboration strengthen resilience and uphold solidarity. Notably, €170 million has been allocated to the EU’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda on Health and Climate Change, ensuring vulnerable populations are included in solutions.

Examples of Person-Centred Care in the EU

Ultimately, solidarity in health is not merely about funding or policies; it is a commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and collective responsibility. From innovative care models like Karolinska University Hospital’s “hospital at home” programme to Estonia’s digital solutions, Europe has examples of what works when equity and person-centred design guide decisions. Rebuilding trust and strengthening solidarity requires transparency, engagement with civil society, and measures that demonstrate care in action.

Europe’s social contract in health can be renewed, balancing competitiveness with care. When investments, innovation, and policies are guided by solidarity, the continent can ensure that health becomes the common ground on which trust is restored — measured not in slogans or speeches, but in the well-being of every citizen.

Read the EHFG report here

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3