As a patient advocate, your firsthand knowledge of navigating health challenges positions you as a valuable voice in improving patient care. By championing change, advocating for policies and practices that prioritize patient well-being, and ensuring equitable access to quality care, you are uniquely positioned to ensure that patients get the care they need. But as the healthcare landscape evolves, so too does the role of advocacy. New technologies, research models, and policy shifts are reshaping the future. Staying informed about these trends will enable you to keep your efforts forward-thinking, inclusive, and powerful.

Here are five trends that will shape the future of patient advocacy in 2025 and beyond—and how you can lead the way.

1. AI-Powered Healthcare

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare with new possibilities. Beyond symptom checkers and virtual assistants, AI can tailor medical information to individual patient profiles. However, as AI systems process sensitive health data, privacy and consent concerns become even more pressing. To protect their privacy, patients must have control over their data. Algorithmic bias is also a concern. Healthcare disparities will worsen if AI is trained on biased data. For example, an AI trained mainly on data from white patients may be less accurate for patients from other racial or ethnic groups.

Advocacy Role

• Collaborate with policymakers to strengthen data privacy and security regulations.
• Educate other patients and the public about their rights and the risks of AI-driven systems.
• Advocate for AI systems to be trained on diverse datasets to minimize bias and promote equitable care.

2. Patient-Led Research

Traditional research models have often sidelined the patient perspective. Today,  patient-led research is gaining momentum. Patients are no longer passive participants but active researchers, study designers, data collectors, and knowledge sharers. Online platforms and social media make it easier than ever for patients to connect and collaborate on research projects. The “Count Me In” initiative, which helps patients share their health data for cancer research, is a great example. [1]  Patients contribute to a large dataset by pooling their data, speeding up our understanding of cancer and leading to new treatments. Similarly, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Project allows patients to share their tumor samples and clinical data, leading to important discoveries. [2]

These initiatives show how patient communities can drive research and make a real difference. Yet, challenges remain—ensuring the scientific rigor of patient-led research, safeguarding privacy, and addressing potential conflicts of interest require collaboration between patients, researchers, and healthcare providers.

Advocacy Role

• Forge partnerships with academic institutions and research bodies that actively involve patients in every research phase.
• Help develop best practices that balance scientific rigor with ethical standards.
• Promote patient-driven research as a valuable contribution to scientific progress.

3. Digital Health Divide

Digital health tools and telemedicine have the potential to revolutionize healthcare access—especially for individuals in rural areas, those with mobility issues, or those managing chronic conditions. From virtual consultations to wearable devices that track vital health data, technology is putting more control into patients’ hands. However, a digital divide persists. Millions lack reliable internet access or the skills to use these technologies, creating disparities in care.

Advocacy Role

• Offer workshops that teach patients how to use digital health tools.
• Champion the development of accessible mobile health apps and wearables.
• Advocate for policies that expand broadband access, ensuring no patient is left behind.

4. Expanding Influence in Health Policy

Patient voices are no longer just a token presence in policymaking— they’re becoming central to shaping healthcare systems, influencing research funding, and improving treatment access. Governments and healthcare organizations increasingly recognize that patient voices bring invaluable insights to decision-making processes.

Advocacy Role

• Monitor healthcare policy changes and hold decision-makers accountable.
• Stay engaged by tracking legislative actions, attending public hearings, and speaking out on issues that matter to patients.
• Amplify patient voices by participating in advisory boards, councils, and public forums.

5. A Stronger Focus on Health Equity

At the heart of patient advocacy is the idea that everyone deserves equal access to quality healthcare, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Unfortunately, health inequities persist—particularly for marginalized communities, who often face higher rates of chronic illness and shorter life expectancy due to systemic barriers like discrimination, poverty, and lack of access to care.

Advocacy Role:

• Make sure marginalized communities are heard.
• Advocate for equitable resource allocation and culturally competent care.
• Hold healthcare institutions accountable for addressing disparities and promoting equity.

Looking Ahead: Building a More Inclusive, Patient-Centered Future

The future of patient advocacy is both challenging and full of possibilities. As we move into 2025 and beyond, the goal is clear: to foster a healthcare system where every patient is seen, heard, and empowered to help shape the future of their care.

Stay informed. Stay involved. And, most importantly, stay inspired—because your voice has the power to transform healthcare for the better.

[1] www.joincountmein.org

[2] www.mbcproject.org