We participate in the 18th European Public Health Conference as part of the JACARDI project
The event, held in Helsinki (Finland) from 12 to 14 November, brought together nearly 3,000 experts from 88 countries worldwide.
From 12 to 14 November, Helsinki (Finland) hosted the 18th European Public Health Conference, an annual congress that brings together professionals from organisations, institutions, universities and entities to share and present experiences and projects in public health. Under the slogan “Investing in sustainable health and wellbeing,” the conference was marked by a strong spirit of European cooperation to strengthen the prevention of non-communicable diseases through inclusive, accessible and evidence-based strategies. The event brought together nearly 3,000 experts from 88 countries worldwide.
Our researcher Irati Erreguerena participated as a moderator in the workshop “Health literacy in action: innovative and inclusive approaches to joint European initiatives“, organised by the coordinating team of the health literacy area of the JACARDI Joint Action. In this space for dialogue, coordinated by Biosistemak together with Santé publique France, innovative strategies were presented to improve health literacy, equity and inclusion in European health systems, with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as migrants, young people and disadvantaged communities.
Strategies to improve equity in public health
The workshop was attended by five projects funded by the European Commission —Preventia, PIA – Prevention in Action, CareGIVR, JA PreventNCD and JACARDI— which are working closely together to integrate health literacy into public health policies and practices in Europe, applying a strong focus on diversity and equity. The activity, part of the synergies between projects promoted by the European Commission, was moderated by Biosistemak and Professor Richard Osborne (La Trobe University). It highlighted the importance of combating misinformation and strengthening trust in health information to reduce inequalities related to cultural and linguistic factors.
During the session, participants analysed how projects are incorporating cultural diversity into their methodologies and activities to better reach vulnerable groups and improve health equity across Europe. They also examined how inclusive health literacy strategies can help health systems combat misinformation and disinformation, especially in culturally and linguistically diverse communities that are disproportionately affected by this problem, and what lessons can be learned from applying different approaches to health literacy in different populations, settings and levels of the system, and how this diversity can inform and strengthen policies at national and EU level.
The role of Biosistemak in JACARDI
The Biosistemak Institute leads and co-leads key tasks in JACARDI, representing the Basque Country as an affiliated entity. It also collaborates in the dissemination, development of the methodological framework and improvement of care pathways for people with heart failure. Together with Osakidetza, it coordinates two pilot projects in the Basque Country: one focused on developing a health literacy programme for adolescents and young people, and another dedicated to reviewing and improving the care pathway for people with heart failure.
Funded by the EU4Health programme and coordinated by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italy), JACARDI aims to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Europe by implementing good practices and cost-effective interventions in 21 countries with the participation of 76 partners. The project will run from November 2023 to October 2027.
