Predicting Advocacy Trends for 2025

The Social Health Network recently gathered for its final Patient Leadership Council (PLC) meeting of 2024. In this meeting, Health Leaders spanning many condition spaces were invited and asked to discuss upcoming trends they saw in their communities, and what they anticipated would continue into 2025.

Each of the themes listed below reflects the broader movement toward more comprehensive, compassionate, and empowering approaches to patient advocacy and wellness management in 2025. Take a look at Health Leaders’ predicted advocacy trends for next year!

Hope and resiliency are central to advocacy and patient care.

Hope and resiliency were central themes of the meeting. Participants emphasized the importance of maintaining hope when living with chronic conditions. Many shared that cultivating resilience through challenges was key to surviving and thriving with health conditions.

The trend for 2025: Resiliency-focused advocacy is expected to grow in importance. This includes empowering Health Leaders to focus on their inner strength and perseverance when faced with health challenges.

Mind-body connection and spirituality will be more integrated into wellness strategies for chronic conditions.

Another prominent theme was the mind-body connection. Attendees discussed how integrating spirituality and personal philosophies can help manage chronic health issues. This holistic approach underscores the importance of mental health in physical wellness.

The trend for 2025: There is a growing recognition that spirituality, mental health tools, and mind-body practices – such as meditation, mindfulness, and holistic therapies – will be integral to wellness plans and chronic condition management.

Mental health will continue to be essential to a holistic wellness plan.

Mental health was a significant topic, with Health Leaders noting how important it is to maintain emotional well-being in conjunction with physical health. There was also a focus on the importance of a consistent wellness plan that integrates mental and physical health practices, including therapy and other mental health tools.

Trend for 2025: Mental health will continue as a cornerstone of comprehensive wellness plans. There will likely be more mental health-focused initiatives, with a stronger push for integrating therapy and mental wellness tools as critical elements of managing chronic conditions.

Empowerment through advocacy growth will be a significant trend, with more focus on leadership.

Empowering individuals to grow in advocacy was another key theme. Many discussed the value of using personal experiences to drive change and inspire others. Health Leaders were encouraged to use their stories and challenges as a tool for growth and leadership within their communities.

The trend for 2025: There will be an increasing focus on leadership in advocacy, where people are encouraged to grow into their roles as Health Leaders and to help others empower themselves through advocacy and self-education.

Kindness and compassion in care will continue to shape the patient experience.

Kindness and compassion in the healthcare space are paramount in feeling seen and heard while navigating a chronic health condition. Many Health Leaders noted how their health journey was wildly different when medical professionals offered compassion and understanding as opposed to doctors who dismissed their symptoms or had a bad “bedside manner.”

The trend for 2025: Health Leaders will seek out medical professionals who take a comprehensive and compassionate viewpoint when diagnosing and treating their condition. Patients will feel more empowered to find doctors who are willing to meet them where they are. There will be less hesitation in getting a second opinion or seeing someone different if they are not met with the respect and kindness they deserve.

Innovative advocacy tools and certifications will expand.

Meeting attendees credited the Patient Leader Certification program for providing them with more advocacy opportunities that allowed them to make headway in their condition space. They shared that tools like these helped them gain confidence, improve health literacy, and encourage shared decision-making with their healthcare team.

The trend for 2025: Virtual tools and trainings will continue to emerge, but so will in-person advocacy events. Social media platforms will continue to be a place where patients, caregivers, and health advocates can share information, stories, and ways to get involved on a grassroots level.

Community and collective support will be integral to advocacy work in the coming years.

There is immense power in community. During the meeting, Health Leaders shared how being a part of a collective has allowed them to be more assertive and vocal about their experiences. They also shared that being a part of something bigger has also allowed them to be more supportive of others in need.

The trend for 2025: Health communities are not going away. If anything, they are growing and expanding. These communities allow people to share their stories and connect with others in a safe and supportive environment. This is empowering more patients and caregivers to bring their voices to the table. More voices = more opportunities for positive change.