The 4th General Assembly of JACARDI (Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes) was held in Poznań (Poland) from the 21st to the 23rd of October 2026.
The event brought together representatives from 81 institutions across 21 European countries to review progress, share experiences, and strengthen the initiative’s impact on European health policies and healthcare systems.
The Basque delegation has been represented by Ane Fullaondo, Director of Biosistemak; Irati Erreguerena, Researcher at Biosistemak; and Iratxe Salcedo, Head of Service at the Primary Care Directorate of Osakidetza, who have taken part in discussions focused on the implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of the interventions developed within JACARDI.
Hosted by the Poznań University of Medical Sciences, the General Assembly is one of the project’s key milestones, offering an opportunity to exchange experiences, results, and lessons learned from the 143 pilot projects being implemented across Europe to improve the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Putting People at the Centre of Health System Transformation
The first day of the Assembly was focused on the experiences of the people involved in the pilot projects and on ensuring that all interventions are guided by the principles of equity, inclusion, and people-centred care.
Sessions explored how JACARDI pilots are helping address health inequalities related to gender and migration, while also examining how the evidence generated through these initiatives can be translated into more effective and sustainable public health policies and care models. A common message emerged throughout the discussions: JACARDI’s success is measured not only by the tools, methodologies, or interventions it develops, but also by its ability to create meaningful improvements in people’s lives.
Biosistemak and Osakidetza’s Contribution to JACARDI
Biosistemak plays a significant role within the Joint Action as co-leader of the Health Literacy Work Package and as coordinator of the Scientific production monitoring and, together with Osakidetza, coordinates two strategic pilot projects: one focused on improving health literacy among adolescents and young people, and another dedicated to the design and implementation of an integrated, value-based care pathway for people living with heart failure.
Participation in the General Assembly has provided an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences generated through these pilots, exchange good practices with European partners, and contribute to the development of solutions that can be sustained beyond the project’s completion in 2027.
From Evidence to Health Policy
Funded through the European Union’s EU4Health Programme, JACARDI brings together more than 800 experts from across Europe with the shared objective of reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes through evidence-based interventions and enhanced policy coordination.
The Assembly also showcases practical resources developed by the project to support public health authorities, healthcare professionals, employers, and decision-makers, while highlighting how JACARDI’s evidence is contributing to future European recommendations and strategies on cardiovascular health and diabetes prevention.
Throughout the three-day event, partners will discuss how to ensure the long-term sustainability of project outcomes and how to translate the knowledge generated into lasting improvements for health systems and for the lives of citizens across Europe.
