Welcome to <i>JCC Plus</i> —A New Chapter in the ECCO Story

It is my pleasure and honour to be the first to write the Editorial of our new Journal, JCC Plus. The launch of this journal marks a significant milestone in ECCO's journey—a reflection of our community's evolution, our global responsibilities and our collective aspiration to expand and amplify the voice of those working in IBD. The commendable development and impact of our ‘mother’ journal, Journal of Crohn's and Colitis (JCC), set a high standard and sparked a vision: the possibility of complementing this foundational publication with an additional journal that could offer broader perspectives, more inclusive voices and space for multidisciplinary innovative content. These discussions gained clarity and urgency during the ECCO Governing Board meeting in the summer of 2023, where we developed the 5-year R E A C H strategy. This strategy did not just guide our future—it demanded action. The introduction of a second journal dedicated to supporting this strategy was a logical and necessary next step. Let me now outline the R E A C H strategy, the framework that will shape our direction and content over the coming years. R E A C H is an acronym, with each letter representing one goal. These goals will be the focus for 1 year within the ECCO community. The ‘R’ signifies ‘rapid diagnosis and treatment’, a pivotal component in the management of IBD. The letter ‘E’ is used to denote ‘equitable access to IBD care’. The letters A, C, and H are used to indicate the following concepts: ‘A’ signifies the attainment of sustainable IBD care, ‘C’ denotes the cause of IBD, and ‘H’ represents holistic IBD care. These pillars are not simply aspirational; they reflect real and pressing challenges in IBD care and research today. They are also deeply aligned with the mission of JCC Plus—to be an inclusive, forward-thinking journal that amplifies this agenda across the globe. Over the past decades, we have witnessed a striking epidemiological transformation: IBD has become a global disease [1]. Although ECCO was born in Europe, it has outgrown continental boundaries. ECCO is now recognised as the foremost global IBD organisation. Our activities increasingly reflect this global outlook, including the recently published ECCO consensus on management of IBD in low- and middle-income countries [2]. In this spirit, JCC Plus aims to serve as a platform for the entire global IBD community. Our commitment is twofold: to support the professionals working in the field, and to raise awareness of IBD's impact on healthcare systems and society as a whole. IBD management today is inherently multidisciplinary. Gastroenterologists, paediatricians, surgeons, nurses, nutritionists and psychologists are all integral members of the IBD team. Our network also includes rheumatologists, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, radiologists and pathologists. Moreover, this multidisciplinary approach incorporates patient organisations in equal measure. This collaborative approach facilitates comprehensive care that meets the diverse needs of our patients. This multidisciplinary approach is the core of the ECCO IBD curriculum and is also reflected in our guidelines, where a multitude of partners are regularly included. To reach beyond traditional academic boundaries, we are adapting our format to meet the needs of a wider audience. Emphasis will be placed on graphical abstracts, schematic representations and visual summaries that enhance accessibility, including for patients and policymakers. We are building a journal that not only informs but also engages, educates and inspires. The launch of JCC Plus is not merely an expansion—it is a transformation. We are broadening our scope, deepening our inclusivity, and strengthening our commitment to the global IBD mission. To lead this exciting endeavour, the Governing Board of ECCO was delighted when Johan Burisch accepted the invitation to serve as the first Editor-in-Chief of JCC Plus. Johan has made significant contributions to the field, particularly in the epidemiology and health economics of IBD, and has been an active and valued member of the ECCO community for many years [1, 3, 4]. His dedication and vision make him the ideal leader for this new journal. I also want to express my warm welcome to the multidisciplinary global editorial team, which includes the following members: Maria Manuela Estenvinho (Portugal), Ola Olén (Sweden), Zahira Pérez Martínez (Spain), Vishal Sharma (India) and Mark Löwenberg (The Netherlands). Their diverse and international perspectives will shape the content and culture of JCC Plus, ensuring it reflects the breadth and depth of modern IBD care. With the institutionalisation of the R E A C H strategy and the establishment of a strong dedicated editorial team, we now invite you, the community, to join us. The success of JCC Plus will rely on the engagement of clinicians, researchers, patients, and all who are part of the IBD journey. Whether through submitting your work, reviewing, reading or sharing —your participation is vital. The future of IBD care is global, multidisciplinary, patient-centred and rooted in shared knowledge. JCC Plus is your journal—designed for collaboration, inclusion, and innovation. Let us build it together. We look forward to receiving your contributions! Britta Siegmund: conceptualization, writing – original draft, writing – review and editing, resources. B.S. consulted for AbbVie, Abivax, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Dr. Falk Pharma, Eli Lilly, Endpoint Health, Falk, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Landos, Materia Prima, PredictImmune, Pfizer and Takeda; received Speaker fees from AbbVie, AlfaSigma, BMS, CED Service GmbH, Dr. Falk Pharma, Eli Lilly, MSD, Ferring, Galapagos, Janssen, Pfizer, Takeda and Tr1x Bio; Grants: Pfizer (all the money went to an institutional account at Charité).