The Institute collaborates on an international publication on equity and diversity in public health

Biosistemak researchers sign an article written as part of the JACARDI project and published in BMJ Global Health.

BMJ Global Health magazine recently published a scientific article within the framework of the European Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI), in which our director, Ane Fullaondo, and Yhasmine Hamu, a researcher at Biosistemak, participated.

The paper, entitled “Incorporating principles of equity and diversity in a complex multinational setting: methods, tools, capacity building and experiences from the first year of the Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI)“, presents an innovative approach to systematically incorporating the perspective of equity and diversity into public health projects and interventions developed within the framework of this and other future European initiatives, thus contributing to broader regional and global agendas to reduce inequalities in the prevention and care of non-communicable diseases.

4Cs model: from principles to action

The article describes the 4Cs model, a conceptual tool that guides work towards equity through four axes: critical reflection, context and data, co-design, and communication.

Based on these principles, the team developed an equity and diversity maturity matrix, along with training activities that help teams share learnings and measure progress. More than an assessment tool, it is recommended that projects use this matrix as a guide for planning and self-assessment of pilots, supporting practical implementation (collective action) and capacity building (cognitive participation).

A European collaboration for inclusive health

JACARDI, co-funded by the European Union, brings together 21 countries, 76 organisations and more than 140 pilot projects aimed at the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Biosistemak represents the Basque Country as an Affiliated Entity and co-leads health literacy tasks and actively participates in communication, implementation science and care pathways, coordinating two pilot projects together with Osakidetza, focused on health literacy and the definition of care pathways.

The Institute’s participation in this publication reinforces its commitment to applied and inclusive research that contributes to strengthening equity and diversity in European health policies. As the project team itself points out, “health equity does not happen by chance, but by design, and requires incorporating this perspective from the outset in all public health actions”.

Article reference:

Skogberg N., Spadea T., Armocida B., Zaletel J., Formenti B., Fullaondo A., Hamu Y., et al. Embedding equity and diversity principles in a complex multi-national setting: methods, tools, capacity development and experiences from the first year of the Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI). BMJ Global Health, 2025. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2025-019829