36: Societal Impact of Pain

In this programme we explore issues affecting the management of chronic pain across the diverse societies of Europe.In May 2012 over 400 delegates representing 35 European countries met in Copenhagen at the third Societal Impact of Pain conference organised by EFIC (the European Federation of the International Association for the Study of Pain Chapters). Airing Pain was there to listen in and speak to patient groups and leading experts on pain and public health policy from across the continent. We hear how chronic pain accounts for 500 million lost working days in the European Union every year, costing the EU economy over 34 billion Euros.Interviewees talk about the strengths and weaknesses of pain management in their part of the continent, including Italian successes in raising political interest in pain treatment and a shining example of good practice in Kirklees, Yorkshire. In this programme: Professor Hans Kress, president of EFIC Dr Beverly Collett chair of the chronic pain policy coalition in the UK John Lindsay, vice president of Pain Alliance Europe Justino Marasi manages a public company providing health care services for a population of about 350 thousand people in central Italy Anne Lloyd, trustee of the Patients’ Association in the UK Dr Judith Hooper is the Director of Public Health for NHS Kirklees and Kirklees council Dr Chris Wells is president elect of EFIC  Liisa Mikkonen of the Finish Pain Association Prof Stephen Bevan, director of work force effectiveness at the Work Foundation Pia Frederiksen of the Danish Association of Chronic Pain Patients.