ME Association

Research: A large international study on Fibromyalgia has identified potential risk factors across patients' genes Nature has published a research study entitled The genetic architecture of fibromyalgia across 2.5 million individuals (July 2026) Read more in the MEA blog: meassociation.org.uk/dqoo

Dr Charles Shepherd notes, "Low level inflammation involving the central nervous system may be involved in ME/CFS." Read more: frontiersin.org/journals/immun…

BBC Radio 4 Inside Health: Is inflammation behind all chronic disease? This 28 minute BBC Inside Health programme discusses new research into inflammation, and how this could change the treatments for many chronic diseases. It includes an interview with Immunologist Professor Eleanor Riley, who used to be part of the ME/CFS Biobank team at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and has been involved in ME/CFS immune system research before moving to her new position at the University of Edinburgh. Listen to the BBC Radio programme: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0… #MECFS #pwME #MyalgicE #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis

@_Lucibee 3/3 Read the findings and the MEA's Health 4 ME teams comments: meassociation.org.uk/nhds #pwME #MECFS #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #NHSeLearning #HealthcareProfessionals

2/3 She @_Lucibee initially asked how many people had completed the NHS England e-Learning for Healthcare (elfh) modules on ME/CFS and subsequently how many people had both complete/incomplete sessions recorded. With kind permission the ME Association can now share the results of that FOI request.

1/3 NHS England’s ME/CFS e-Learning Modules FOI Results reveal lack of uptake In January 2026, and repeated in June, Lucibee [social media username], an advocate for people with ME/CFS submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to NHS England.

Sharing for information: Calibre Audio: Short Story Competition 2026 Calibre Audio has announced the return of Inclusive Voices, its nationwide short-story and poetry competition designed to spotlight creativity, accessibility, and diverse storytelling. We are sharing here in case anyone from the ME/CFS/LC communities may be interested in taking part. Entry Details: - Open for entries: 4th June to 13th September 2026 - Format: Written, video or audio entries accepted - Word limit: 550 words max - Theme: Create an empathy-boosting story or poem that shows life from another person’s perspective - Winners announced: End of October 2026 You can find out more about the competition and submit any entries on their website: calibreaudio.org.uk/news/inclusive… #MECFS #pwME #LongCovid #ShortStory #Competition

Yorkshire Live: Kirklees Council called to 'bridge gap' in 'debilitating' chronic condition care "At Wednesday's Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel (July 22), concerns were raised over Kirklees Council's plans to provide support for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)." Read the article: examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-new… #MECFS #pwME

The ME Association has recently been in touch with the Derbyshire CFS/ME Service, and we can confirm they are still open. The CFS/ME Service provides specialist assessment and treatment for adults who have been diagnosed with ME/CFS. Most patients are assessed and treated by specialist therapists, some are seen by the consultant. Treatment is either one to one or group basis. Severely affected patients can be seen at home. They are currently very busy due to the number of out-of-area referrals they are receiving from surrounding counties, including Staffordshire, Leicestershire and Shropshire, as well as patients with Severe/Very Severe ME from Nottingham (who are only commissioned to see mild to moderate). We would be interested in hearing feedback on this service from anyone outside of the Derby area who has been, or is being referred to this service. Please feel free to add any reviews to the service page on our website directory: meassociation.org.uk/measpecialist/… #MECFS #pwME #MyalgicE #SpecialistService #NHS

Please help us improve the information we provide via our social media, email newsletters, website, and free literature by filling in our survey: meassociation.org.uk/d90v The deadline for submissions is end of day on 31st July 2026, this Friday, so please ensure you've sent in any submissions by then. Thank you! #MECFS #pwME #MEAssociation #MyalgicE

Kent Live: 'I've been crying since 9am' Motability July change update as users hit out "New rules came into place on July 1 which meant people driving their Motability vehicle more than 10,000 miles would face an additional bill of 25p a mile." Read more: kentlive.news/news/motoring/… #MECFS #pwME #LongCovid #Motability

For information on how to cope with the heatwave when you have ME/CFS, please see our downloadable booklet with helpful suggestions: meassociation.org.uk/lj9n

BBC News: Heatwave Warning "Another UK heatwave could be declared next week as temperatures are once again forecast to intensify across England and parts of Wales. Yellow heat health alerts have already been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for several regions from 9:00 BST on 28 July until 9:00 BST on 31 July." Read more: bbc.co.uk/weather/articl… #MECFS #pwME #LongCovid #Heatwave

DHSC Delivery Plan on ME/CFS – One year on Dr Charles Shepherd, MEA Hon. Medical Adviser provides an update one year on from the ME/CFS Delivery Plan meassociation.org.uk/vckc #MECFS #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #DHSC #DeliveryPlan

#MEAssociation comments on a report containing unsubstantiated claims regarding ‘brain retraining’ as a cure for #MECFS and #LongCovid Dr Charles Shepherd, MEA Hon. Medical Adviser was interviewed by the journalist @theipaper and has been quoted in the article. Read more here: meassociation.org.uk/nzdc #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis

There's growing concern about the recent closures of specialised ME/CFS services in the UK, without prior public consultation. This leaves patients undiagnosed, isolated and without adequate care management. To read more and take action, visit: meassociation.org.uk/ch6q #mecfs

The ME Association funds its medical research via the Ramsay Research Fund (RRF).  The ME Association is currently funding the following studies: meassociation.org.uk/research/resea… And other projects include; the annual operational costs for the UK ME/CFS Biobank (UKMEB) & Post Mortem Research at Manchester Bain Bank (MBB) Read more here: meassociation.org.uk/research/ramsa… The MEA also funds a number of Healthcare Research and PhD studies, more details here: meassociation.org.uk/research/ramsa… #MECFS #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #LongCovid #Research #RamsayResearchFund #MEAssociation

Calling friends and family of the MEA! Fancy raising money for the ME Association by joining #TeamMEA to walk the Dundee #KiltWalk2026 on the 16th August? If so, please click here for more info: meassociation.org.uk/2026/06/kiltwa… #MECFS #LongCovid #MEAssociation #Fundraising