Project

Health is one of the basic human rights and an important value for individual, family and society. Several policies in Slovenia are oriented in health protection and promotion. Numerous programmes were introduced to achieve this goal. Healthcare system traditionally provides the population with various prevention programmes, which are characteristically assured and available to all, regardless of individual’s income. Nonetheless, the differences in the use of these services are apparent.

Life expectancy and other chosen health indicators show that health condition of entire population has improved in the past decades. However, inequalities in health remain since differences in health of individuals from different socio-economic groups are visible. Determinants, such as education, employment, income, social security and social networks influence lifestyle, risk factors and the use of healthcare services, therefore the health of groups with higher socio-economic status is improving faster. 
   
 Healthcare system by itself cannot significantly reduce inequalities in health however, it plays an integral part and therefore it is important to think about this prospect in the process of planning health policies. By promoting widely accessible preventive programmes in primary health care, we can reduce and even prevent lifestyle-related diseases. Inclusion of all population groups is necessary; therefore, it is very important to address groups, which are less responsive due to social distress or lack of information. Healthcare system can contribute to the reduction of inequalities in health by actively approaching the inclusion of preventive programmes.

General objective of Together Towards Health project is to reduce lifestyle-related chronic non-communicable diseases using upgraded and strengthened preventive health programmes. We could achieve the reduction of unhealthy lifestyle-related chronic non-communicable diseases incidence with early detection of risks for the development of these diseases, life course approach as well as with interventions and approaches for the reduction of inequalities in health.

Together Towards Health project focuses on developing new approaches in preventive healthcare, improving the availability of preventive care for all population groups, capacity building and intersectoral cooperation with special emphasis on approaches for reducing inequalities in health. The main focus in on new approaches in the field of preventive healthcare of children and adolescents including health education for children, adolescents, pregnant women and parents as well as the approaches for preventing and reducing the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases in adults.

We wish to use the project activities to build the capacities for the implementation of activities in the field of preventive healthcare and to supplement mechanisms and programmes aimed at prevention and reduction of inequalities in health. The special focus will be on the definition of targeted interventions regarding the risk or individual needs assessment, which will supplement otherwise universally designed programme of preventive healthcare.   

The project activities are organized in four work package out of which the first is for the field of preventive programmes for children and adolescents and the second is for the field of preventive programmes for integrated control of lifestyle-related chronic diseases in adults. Third and fourth work package are aimed at connective or horizontal activities, which will assure that the activities of the first two packages will run smoothly.