Coeliac Disease Awareness
Free webinar series
Coeliac Awareness Day Webinars
Free webinars about coeliac disease
For the fourth year running, AOECS hosted a free webinar series throughout May 2026, marking Coeliac Awareness Month.
In this year’s webinar series, AOECS focused on one central theme: the stigma surrounding coeliac disease and how to overcome it.
Below, you can find summaries of the webinar presentations, as well as download the presentation slides used by the speakers.
Mental health for young European Coeliacs
Date: 7 May, 2026
Language: English
Presenting:
Prof. Rose-Marie Satherley, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the School of Psychology, Department of Psychological Interventions, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
Nick Morgan, CEO of Euro Youth Mental Health
Webinar key takeaways:
- Mental health support must be integrated into coeliac care, especially for children and young people managing a lifelong gluten-free diet.
- There are still significant gaps in coordinated, youth-centred care, despite emerging best practices across Europe.
- Early intervention, timely diagnosis, and family and community support are essential to reduce the effects of the condition and improve long-term well-being.
WHO resolution on Noncommunicable Diseases and mental health
Date: 15 May, 2026
Language: English
Presenting:
Dr. Anant Rajnikant Jani, Senior Researcher at the University of Oxford, Heidelberg Institute for Global Health.
Prof. Olimpia Vicentini, Unit of Human Nutrition and Health, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition, and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità.
Webinar key takeaways:
- Coeliac disease should be better recognised within the broader NCD and mental health policy framework.
- Food systems play a critical role in ensuring gluten-free diets are not only safe and healthy but also accessible and enjoyable.
- Early detection, integrated care, and systemic approaches are key to improving both physical and mental health outcomes.
Key regulatory issues affecting coeliac disease in Europe
Date: 28 May, 2026
Language: English
Presenting:
Dr. Klaus Berend, EU Commission Director for Food Safety, Sustainability and Innovation.
Ms. Olga Goulaki, Policy Officer at DG SANTE Unit E1 ‘Food Information and Composition’.
Webinar key takeaways:
- The transition from plastics to new biomaterials poses challenges for gluten cross-contamination, and EU initiatives such as the PAL revision and FCM legislation need to consider the potential impact on coeliac consumers.
- There is strong scientific evidence from CODEX, FAO, WHO, and EFSA on reference amounts for allergens, providing a solid basis to shape future regulatory proposals.
- Active engagement and knowledge sharing from coeliac organisations and experts will be crucial to ensure their perspectives are reflected in upcoming initiatives such as PAL.