An interesting study by Sara Glasgow argues that having “expert patients” involved in public health campaigns would improve the wellbeing of other patients. The study focuses on chronic diseases, which includes heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illness. These illnesses make up 60% of deaths around the world each year.

The idea is that patients would feel empowered to better manage their own health by seeing positive examples from fellow patients.

Research: http://sgo.sagepub.com/content/2/3/2158244012452575.full