• representatives of patient organisations
• healthcare professionals
• policymakers
• researchers
• industry partners
To reaffirm a shared commitment to improving the lives of people living with incontinence and pelvic floor disorders worldwide. To call upon governments, healthcare systems, professional societies and stakeholders worldwide to commit to the following 8 priorities.
Incontinence and pelvic floor disorders must be acknowledged as significant health conditions that impact:
Every individual should have access to appropriate assessment, specialist expertise and effective treatment regardless of age, gender, geographical location or socioeconomic status.
Shared decision-making should become a standard component of continence care, ensuring that treatment choices reflect patients’ values, preferences and life goals, including individual choice regarding single-use medical devices.
National and international awareness initiatives should promote understanding of continence conditions and encourage people to seek help without fear, embarrassment or discrimination, including in situations of economic hardship.
Continence Awareness Week should be promoted annually in every country to increase awareness and support for people living with incontinence.
Healthcare systems should facilitate the adoption of innovative technologies, digital tools and patient-centred solutions that improve outcomes, self-management and access to care, including the implementation of specific Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Assistance Pathways (DTAPs).
Greater investment is needed in research, data collection and international partnerships to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of pelvic floor disorders, including those related to oncological diseases.
Patients and patient organisations must be recognised as equal partners in healthcare planning, policy development, research design and the evaluation of outcomes.
WFIPP and its partners should actively support the recruitment and development of patient associations worldwide, with the goal of establishing or supporting at least one organisation representing people living with urinary and/or faecal incontinence in every country and region of the world. Where such organisations do not yet exist, efforts should be made to facilitate their creation and long-term sustainability.
WFIPP commits to working alongside international organisations, scientific societies, healthcare professionals, policymakers and industry partners to advance these priorities and to build a future in which every person affected by incontinence or pelvic floor disorders receives timely, dignified and effective care.
Rome, Italy
26 June 2026
World Federation of Incontinence and Pelvic Problems (WFIPP)