Strengthening European Health: JACARDI at the JARED Consortium Day
The Joint Action on REspiratory Diseases (JARED) is a major European initiative dedicated to reducing the burden of chronic respiratory diseases through improved prevention, early detection, and integrated care models across the EU. Since chronic conditions like respiratory diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues often share common risk factors, building strategic synergies between Joint Actions is essential to create a unified, high-impact approach to public health and societal prosperity.
In this context, JACARDI contributes to these goals by strengthening prevention and management strategies for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes across Europe within a single framework. By promoting health promotion, reinforcing screening, integrated care pathways and self-management, together with labour participation and improved data governance, JACARDI reinforces a cross-disease, system-based approach that complements JARED’s goals.
Addressing shared risk factors — such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, environmental exposures, and social determinants of health — allows both Joint Actions to amplify their impact beyond single disease areas and move toward a more cohesive NCD strategy at EU level.
Building synergies across European public health initiatives
The event program featured a high-level opening with remarks from the WHO and the European Respiratory Society (ERS), followed by a deep dive into JARED’s first-year achievements in indoor air quality, patient pathways, and reaching vulnerable populations. A dedicated session on Strategic Synergies brought together coordinators from various European projects to discuss how to align our efforts for maximum impact.
During this session, Benedetta Armocida, Coordinator of JACARDI presented on building synergies for impact between JACARDI, JARED, and JA PreventNCD, focusing on how coordinated intervention strategies can drive broader societal prosperity. Together, we are ensuring that European health interventions are not just individual projects, but a cohesive movement toward a healthier future.
A Short Guide to Screening for Individuals at Increased Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Diseases and Type 2 Diabetes – Version 1.0
As work progresses on a harmonized EU approach to health checks under the EU Safe Hearts Plan, JACARDI has published its Short Guide for Screening. The document provides practical, evidence-based recommendations to support the organization and implementation of effective screening activities across Europe. It is intended as a quick, accessible reference for public health professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in planning, designing, or evaluating risk assessment and screening approaches for cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. The guide was developed by lead authors William Leysen of Diabetes Liga (Belgium) and Hanna Tolonen, Director of Research and Development at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), together with a wider team of JACARDI experts.
Authors: William Leysen, Alessandra Cardinale, Alexandra Cucu, Aurélie Lampaert, Beatrice Formenti, Benedetta Armocida, Benedetta Marcozzi, Carmen Angheluta, Claudia Dima, Claudia Giacomozzi, Eeva Rantala, Fanny Monet, Giovanni Calcagnini, Hanna Elonheimo, Jelka Zaletel, Jill Farrington, Jorik Vergauwen, Krista Kruja, Laura Paalanen, Luigi Palmieri, Massimiliano Petrelli, Mattei Eugenio, Paola Santalucia, Petry Milos, Roberta Papa, Ruth Verdegem, Sue Cohen, Tsvetalina Tankova, Hanna Tolonen
Abstract:
The aim of this short guide, developed within the framework of the Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI), a European Joint Action co-funded by the EU4Health Programme, is to provide an overview of approaches for identifying individuals or segments of the population at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) or Type 2 diabetes (T2D). These approaches may include population-level monitoring, individual risk assessment, population segmentation, and also screening. When appropriately designed and implemented, such approaches can support primary prevention efforts by helping to target interventions that tackle harmful risk factors and encourage protective factors.
While not all risk assessment methods constitute formal screening programmes, they may still inform policies and practice. For instance, individual-level risk assessment can support clinical decision-making, whereas population-level stratification can guide broader public health strategies. In some cases, risk identification may also facilitate earlier diagnosis, provided that it is linked to follow-up, diagnosis and treatment pathways. However, any assumptions about improved health outcomes must be supported by evidence, and should consider the full pathway from identification to intervention.
This guide is intended as a quick reference, summarizing key concepts related to the use of risk assessment and stratification approaches in the context of CVD and T2D prevention, the focus being on primary prevention within a public health framework. For comprehensive discussions and detailed guidance on specific screening programmes, readers are encouraged to consult additional sources listed in this document.
Source:
Short Guide for Screening Individuals at Increased Risk of Developing CVDs and T2D
Call for papers: join the scientific debate on cardiovascular disease and diabetes
The current policy landscape offers unique momentum for strengthening collective action on noncommunicable diseases. To stimulate discussion on the challenges and opportunities related to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, the International Journal of Public Health and Public Health Reviews have opened a joint call for papers.
Authors are invited to submit Original Articles, Theory and Concept papers, Reviews, and Policy Briefs for the special issue “Strengthening the public health response to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes”. The call for papers is open until 15 January 2027. Submissions will be reviewed by an editorial board that includes two experts from JACARDI, Yhasmine Hamu and Edwin Wouters.
Developed in line with the JACARDI mission, the special issue seeks to foster actionable knowledge that advances effective, equitable, and sustainable responses. Its aim is to support healthier lives, more resilient health systems, and stronger commitment to tackling noncommunicable diseases.
Topics of interest, identified in collaboration with JACARDI, include:
- Primary prevention, including health literacy, awareness, and health promotion
- Screening of high-risk populations
- Integrated health pathways, including health care organization, patient self-management, and reintegration into the workforce
- Data infrastructure and digital technologies as drivers of evidence-informed decision-making and innovation
- Health system strengthening, with a focus on governance, financing, and service delivery
- Strategies to reduce health inequities and ensure that populations living in vulnerable situations are not left behind
Accepted papers will be published on a rolling basis in the online special issue.
Be part of the call and support the creation and dissemination of knowledge that strengthens our public health response to cardiovascular disease and diabetes!
For more information on the call visit the website of the International Journal of Public Health.
Navigating adulthood with juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes: a scoping review on education, employment and quality of life
Scientific publications by JACARDI
In this post series we share the scientific publications directly linked to the JACARDI project. All publications featured in this series are authored or co-authored by JACARDI partners and reflect research and findings developed within the project framework.
We aim to showcase how evidence supports our joint mission to tackle cardiovascular diseases and diabetes across Europe.
Stay informed on how JACARDI turns evidence into action.
Authors: Eleonora Maurel, Arianna Fornari, Alessandra Knowles, Erika Guastafierro, Martina Lanza, Alessia Marcassoli, Matilde Leonardi, Luca Ronfani and Lorenzo Monasta
Abstract:
Background: Juvenile type 1 diabetes can present lifelong challenges that may affect educational, employment, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in adulthood. This scoping review aims at exploring the long-term impact of juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes on education and career achievements and well-being in adulthood.
Methods: A scoping review conducted using PubMed and PsycInfo (2005– 2025) identified studies comparing adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes during childhood and adolescence to controls without type 1 diabetes. Three studies focusing on educational attainment, employment, income, and HRQoL, met the inclusion criteria.
Results: The studies included in the review show that university attendance is significantly lower among individuals with juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes, and this affects both men and women. Access to the labor market and earnings are similarly affected, especially in the case of women who experience both lower employment rates and income, compared to controls without diabetes. Men with type 1 diabetes have equal opportunities for workforce entry, but this does not translate into long-term income parity. Compared to healthy controls, HRQoL is lower among adults with type 1 diabetes, particularly in the school/work and emotional domains. Common challenges include low energy, forgetfulness, and concentration difficulties.
Conclusion: While it is a matter of debate how juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes affects academic achievements, there is general agreement that it leads to persistent disadvantages in employment and HRQoL in adulthood. Targeted support from diagnosis and during transition to adulthood is essential to mitigate the long-term impact of juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes on educational, employment and psychosocial outcomes for this population.
Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1707581/full
Croí’s Healthy Hearts Club: empowering patients in heart disease self-management
Croí, the heart and stroke charity based in the west of Ireland, is leading one of Ireland’s pilot projects as part of JACARDI. This pilot, called the Healthy Hearts Club, focuses on patient self-management for those recovering from heart events, such as heart attacks. It aims to help individuals manage long-term health risks like high blood pressure and low physical activity. This project builds on Croí’s experience in heart disease prevention and rehabilitation and provides a crucial support system to patients after their initial cardiac rehabilitation.
A Sustainable Model for Long-Term Health
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and many patients face challenges in maintaining the positive changes achieved during rehabilitation. The Healthy Hearts Club offers a community-based model to help patients continue managing their heart health after formal rehabilitation ends.
“Cardiac rehabilitation is life-saving, but sustaining those changes is key to long-term health,” says Dr. Susan Connolly, Consultant Cardiologist at University Hospital Galway, who is a co-investigator on the project. “The Healthy Hearts Club provides ongoing support and helps patients stay on track with their health goals.”
The programme involves up to 160 patients, all of whom have completed cardiac rehabilitation through the through the Irish health service in Galway. Participants engage in six months of support, including regular nurse check-ins and group workshops on exercise, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, and heart disease risk factors. This ongoing support aims to help participants integrate these healthy habits into their daily lives.
Supporting Long-Term Change through Personalised Care
The Healthy Hearts Club emphasizes peer support, personalized care, and group activities tailored to the participants’ needs. By joining the programme soon after rehabilitation, patients are given the tools to continue the progress they’ve made, ensuring sustainable change over the long term.
“We believe that empowering people with the knowledge and tools to manage their health is essential for sustainable, person-centered care,” says Dr. Lisa Hynes, Head of Health Programmes at Croí. “This initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering innovative prevention and self-management programmes.”
In addition to in-person support, Croí will explore the use of digital health tools to further enhance the programme. Building on the success of Croí’s previous online self-management programme, the Healthy Hearts Club will assess how digital solutions can support long-term heart health.
A European Approach to Heart Disease Prevention
One of JACARDI’s goals is to integrate best practices across the entire patient journey—from screening and self-management to integrated care and workforce reintegration. The Healthy Hearts Club is a key component of this effort, with the programme’s evaluation aiming to develop scalable models for improving heart disease management across Europe.
“We’re excited to see how this project evolves and contributes to the broader European conversation on heart health,” says Dr. Connolly. “The insights we gain will help improve the long-term care and outcomes for patients.”
A Collaborative Effort for a Healthier Future
Croí’s leadership in the Healthy Hearts Club is part of the wider JACARDI programme, which connects Irish experts with a pan-European network of professionals working to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Dr. Hynes adds, “This collaboration with the HSE and European partners is a unique opportunity to learn from each other and translate research into real-world improvements in care.”
Five decisive actions to transform Europe’s NCD monitoring systems: “What gets measured gets prioritised”
A new policy paper published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe calls for decisive action to transform how Europe monitors noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Developed jointly by Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI), Joint Action Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (JA PreventNCD), and the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), the paper sets out five priority actions to strengthen health monitoring systems across the region, an essential step to curb the rising burden of NCDs and mental health and ensure more effective, equitable healthcare.
The publication, titled “Strengthening non-communicable diseases monitoring systems in Europe through a multistakeholder collaborative approach: a key priority for advancing data-driven policymaking”, comes at a critical momentum after the Fourth United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health. “Europe has a unique opportunity, and responsibility, to recommit to data-driven health governance and sustained investment in resilient NCD monitoring systems”, the authors explain in the publication.
Five priorities for 2025 and beyond
The publication highlights five critical areas where action is needed to make monitoring systems stronger, fairer, and more effective. It calls for collecting data that is truly inclusive and disaggregated, so that inequalities become visible and can be addressed. It stresses the importance of solid governance, clear legal frameworks, and long-term investment to ensure that progress is sustained.
Monitoring, the authors argue, should also be embedded in real-time policymaking, so that information directly shapes decisions and drives accountability. Civil society, communities, people with lived experience, and marginalized groups should have a meaningful voice in this process, making sure that data reflects people’s lived realities. And finally, the paper points to the need for stronger collaboration across sectors, greater sharing of knowledge, and more capacity building to secure lasting impact.
“Tackling NCDs is one of five priorities of WHO/Europe’s Second European Programme of Work, co-created with 53 Member States and shaped through broad public consultations, including with health professionals, people living with NCDs and civil society. Effective action on NCDs hinges on good data. Europe can lead by example and showcase collaborative and inclusive approaches together with key stakeholders, including EU Joint Actions”, said Dr Gundo Weiler, Director of the Division of Prevention and Health Promotion at WHO Regional Office for Europe.
The challenge: gaps between commitments and reality
An estimated 80% of NCDs are considered preventable through effective public health policies and early detection strategies. These figures underscore the urgent need for a paradigm shift from a model centred on diagnostics and treatment to one rooted in prevention, health promotion, and evidence-based screening.
Despite great efforts in international commitments, progress at the national level has been inconsistent. Monitoring systems remain fragmented, overly reliant on short-term projects, or challenged by limited governance and insufficient investment. This has created a critical gap between ambitious global targets and their translation into actionable national policies.
The policy paper identifies persistent data gaps, structural weaknesses, and opportunities for innovation. It emphasizes that monitoring is not just about collecting data, it is about ensuring that information is used in real time to drive policy reform, accountability, and equity.
Lessons from Europe
The authors underline that too often, NCD monitoring efforts have been ad hoc, reliant on external funding or driven by individual champions. This has led to uneven coverage, lack of comparability between countries, and persistent blind spots when it comes to the health of groups living in vulnerable situations, such as migrants, minorities, and people with disabilities.
Without data that is disaggregated and reflects disparities, inequalities remain invisible and policies risk reinforcing exclusion. The authors argue that equity must be at the center of all future monitoring efforts.
“It is a moral and ethical imperative to advocate for and generate more inclusive data. Data should be systematically disaggregated by age, sex, gender, geography, socioeconomic status, disability, ethnic and migration background to reveal territorial disparities and enable place-based interventions”, unfolds Dr Benedetta Armocida, from the Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-metabolic Diseases and Aging at Istituto Superiore di Sanità-ISS, Rome (Italy) and Coordinator of JACARDI.
“We should begin to view data not merely as numbers, but as reflections of human lives and rights: each data point tells a story, and data becomes truly powerful when it shifts narratives, amplifies the voices of those too often overlooked, and holds systems accountable. Data must be observed critically and translated into policies that strengthen health systems. Without inclusive monitoring, structural inequities remain concealed, and the most vulnerable remain invisible—one data point, one life, one missed opportunity at a time”, adds Dr Armocida.
At the same time, the authors highlight successful innovations and good practices emerging from European Joint Actions, such as JACARDI and JA PreventNCD, demonstrating that progress is possible when commitments are matched by clear governance, adequate investment, and cross-sector collaboration.
“Across Europe we already see solutions that work. Joint Actions like JA PreventNCD and JACARDI help countries align methods, share tools and learn faster from each other. That is how we improve comparability between countries and make monitoring more useful for prevention and health promotion, including by showing more clearly where inequalities persist,” says Professor Knut-Inge Klepp, from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo and Scientific Coordinator of JA PreventNCD.
“But we have to treat monitoring as core infrastructure, not an extra task. It needs stable funding, clear governance and the ability to produce data that is timely and inclusive. If monitoring depends on short-term projects or individual champions, it will remain uneven. If it is institutionalized, it can guide priorities, strengthen accountability and help sustain progress over time,” adds Klepp.
Europe has both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead the way in building stronger, more inclusive health information systems that can serve as a global benchmark. Doing so will be critical not only to reducing premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030, but also to ensuring health equity and resilience in the face of future challenges. “Because what gets measured gets prioritised. What gets disaggregated gets addressed. And what gets institutionalised can be sustained”, conclude the authors.
Disclaimers
JACARDI (Grant Agreement 101126953) and JA PreventNCD (Grant Agreement 101128023) projects have received funding from the EU4Health Programme 2021-2027. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
WHO disclaimer: The authors alone are responsible for the views expressed in this article and they do not necessarily represent the views, decisions or policies of the institutions with which they are affiliated.
Benedetta Armocida, Hanna Tolonen, Ivo Rakovac, Beatrice Formenti, Jill Farrington, Allison Ekberg, Hector Bueno, Giovanni Capelli, Silvia Francisci, Morten S. Frydensberg, Ane Fullaondo, Linda Granlund, Yhasmine Hamu Azcarate, Torben F. Hansen, Emil Høstrup, Tomi Mäki-Opas, Luigi Palmieri, Markku Peltonen, Valentina Possenti, Marco Silano, Gundo Weiler, Kremlin Wickramasinghe, Edwin Wouters, Knut-Inge Klepp, Graziano Onder, Gauden Galea, Strengthening non-communicable diseases monitoring systems in Europe through a multistakeholder collaborative approach: a key priority for advancing data-driven policymaking, The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, Volume 61, 2026, 101553, ISSN 2666-7762, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101553
A major step forward: Basque country rolls out integrated heart failure care model
A new pilot project has recently been launched in the Basque country as part of JACARDI, featuring an integrated, value-based care pathway for people with heart failure. This pilot is aligned with JACARDI’s broader mission to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and diabetes across Europe by strengthening coordinated care, enhancing health literacy, and scaling best practices.
Within JACARDI, Biosistemak represents the Basque country as an affiliated entity, co-leading communication and dissemination activities, supporting methodological frameworks for European pilots, contributing to health literacy initiatives, and leading the deployment of the heart failure pathway. This includes conducting a comprehensive needs assessment on the European level.
On 27 November, at the launch event organized at Cruces University Hospital in Barakaldo, Osakidetza – the public health care service of the Basque country – presented the new value-based integrated care pathway for heart failure, after two years of joint development with Biosistemak and Osakidetza’s Care Integration and Chronicity Service (SIAC). Throughout the entire development process, Biosistemak provided methodological support on pathway design, including the adaptation of care pathways and resources, the development of evaluation frameworks, the integration of technological requirements, and the preparation of awareness raising actions and training plans for professionals. The result is a comprehensive and coordinated care model that improves outcomes and quality of life for people living with heart failure while ensuring long-term sustainability.
During the event, Biosistemak researcher Yhasmine Hamu highlighted the importance of the extensive multidisciplinary collaboration behind the initiative. Over two years, professionals from family and community medicine, hospital care, nursing, pharmacy, and management collaborated to create a model that responds to real patient needs and incorporates sex- and gender-based perspectives. Presentations also highlighted innovative solutions, new corporate tools, and lessons learned on improving communication, standardising care, and defining indicators for continuous improvement.
The jointly developed pathway covers the entire care cycle for people with heart failure, from initial suspicion of the condition to hospitalisation, discharge, and ongoing follow-up in both primary and specialised settings. It is designed to align the perspectives of patients, professionals, and the general population. For patients, the model organises interventions and responsibilities in one integrated system to reduce morbidity and mortality and strengthen self-care. For professionals, it offers a clear overview of actions to be taken, decision-support tools, and a framework that promotes coordination and reduces variability. On a societal level, the model improves population health by enhancing scientific knowledge and reinforcing the sustainability of health systems.
The success of this pilot is a perfect example of how JACARDI supports Member States in adopting evidence-based and scalable care models for chronic disease management. Through its leadership in this initiative, Biosistemak contributes to strengthening integrated care and advancing cardiovascular health both within the Basque country and across Europe.
Socioeconomic and health disparities in adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus before age 18
Scientific publications by JACARDI
In this post series we share the scientific publications directly linked to the JACARDI project. All publications featured in this series are authored or co-authored by JACARDI partners and reflect research and findings developed within the project framework.
We aim to showcase how evidence supports our joint mission to tackle cardiovascular diseases and diabetes across Europe.
Stay informed on how JACARDI turns evidence into action.
Keywords: public health, socioeconomic inequalities, health inequalites, type 1 diabetes mellitus, quality of life
Giulia Zamagni, Valentina Minardi, Maria Masocco, Federica Asta, Riccardo Candido, Gianluca Tornese, Giulia Bresciani, Valentina Manfredini, Elena Frattolin, Claudia Veronica Carletti, Daniela Germano, Eleonora Maurel, Luca Ronfani, Lorenzo Monasta
Abstract:
Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a lifelong condition with consequences that extend well beyond glycaemic control, often impacting individuals’ socioeconomic status and overall quality of life. In Italy, the broader effects of early-onset type 1 diabetes on social and health-related outcomes have been insufficiently investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the socioeconomic impacts of type 1 diabetes among adults diagnosed with the condition before age 18.
Methods: Using data from the Italian Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (PASSI) collected between 2011 and 2018 and in 2023, we analyzed key outcomes in adults aged 18–50 who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before age 18 and were on insulin therapy. Each case was matched by age and sex to two non-diabetic controls. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression
were used to compare key indicators.
Results: Our sample included 993 participants (331 cases and 662 controls). Cases had significantly higher odds of being unemployed [OR = 1.57 (1.20–2.07)], experiencing severe financial difficulties [OR = 1.81 (1.05–3.13)], and reporting poor self-rated health [OR = 6.64 (2.53–17.43)]. Cases also had an increased likelihood of reporting physical impairment for 1–13 days [OR = 1.91 (1.30–2.81)] and ≥14 days [OR = 2.95 (1.54–5.65)], mental health impairment for 1–13 days [OR = 2.16 (1.46–3.19)], and daily activity limitations for 1–13 days [OR = 1.73 (1.06–2.82)].
Conclusions: These findings highlight the multifaceted burden of type 1 diabetes and the need for integrated approaches to care that address not only clinical but also socioeconomic and psychosocial dimensions of the disease.
Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1655035/full
Workplace Health Interventions Targeting Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Mellitus for Blue-Collar Workers
Scientific publications by JACARDI
In this post series we share the scientific publications directly linked to the JACARDI project. All publications featured in this series are authored or co-authored by JACARDI partners and reflect research and findings developed within the project framework.
We aim to showcase how evidence supports our joint mission to tackle cardiovascular diseases and diabetes across Europe.
Stay informed on how JACARDI turns evidence into action.
Authors: Chiara Di Girolamo, MD, MSc, PhD; Agnieszka Lipiak, MA; Matteo Franco, MSc; Krzysztof Kaczmarek, PhD; Guillermo Barreres-Martín, MSc; Piotr Romaniuk, PhD; Carles Muñoz-Alfonso, MSc; Andrea Arroyo-Álvarez, MSc; Federica Turatto, MD; Daznia Bompart Berroterán, PhD; Ewelina Chawłowska, PhD
Abstract:
Background: Cardiometabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM), represent a global health issue, causing significant premature mortality and disability. Blue-collar workers, who often face a higher exposure to risk factors (eg, smoking, poor diet, and lack of physical activity), are particularly vulnerable to these diseases. Workplace health promotion plays a crucial role in mitigating this risk, yet the scope and the characteristics of interventions targeting this specific workforce remain unclear.
Objective: The objective of this scoping review will be to assess the extent and characteristics of workplace health promotion interventions aimed at preventing cardiometabolic diseases and their risk factors in blue-collar workers.
Methods: The review will follow the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. A search of MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Database as well as grey literature will be conducted. The search strategy is designed to capture relevant studies published since 2014 in English, Spanish, Italian, and Polish. Eligible study designs include experimental design (eg, randomized controlled trials), observational studies (eg, longitudinal studies), qualitative research, and mixed-method approaches as well as other formats present in grey literature (eg, reports). This review will include studies focusing on health promotion interventions involving adult blue-collar workers (aged ≥18 years) currently employed, with at least 60% of participants being blue-collar employees. The interventions of interest are workplace health promotion strategies targeting CVD, DM, or their risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, and smoking. Each paper retrieved will be screened for inclusion by at least 2 reviewers. Disagreements between the reviewers will be resolved through discussion with the other reviewers. Studies focusing on noninterventional contexts, mental health, or ergonomic safety will be excluded. Data will be extracted and analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods, with a focus on intervention types, participant characteristics, and outcomes.
Results: The study began in March 2024 and the full scoping review report is expected to be ready in September 2025.
Conclusions: The scoping review presented in this protocol can contribute to filling the knowledge gap by mapping the current state of workplace health promotion interventions aimed at preventing CVD and DM and modifying relevant risk factors in the blue-collar workers’ group.
JACARDI General Assembly – Madrid highlights
The JACARDI consortium gathered in Madrid for four inspiring days of exchange, collaboration, and renewed commitment to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and diabetes across Europe. More than 200 participants from 21 countries joined discussions on equity, gender gaps in healthcare, data systems, sustainability, and the upcoming EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.
Throughout the Assembly, partners shared early insights from JACARDI’s 143 pilot projects, offering a rich picture of progress and lessons emerging from real-world practice. Workshops and roundtables helped translate this experience into future action, reinforcing shared goals for more integrated, person-centred care. A dedicated session on the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan brought strong alignment between JACARDI’s evidence and Europe’s broader policy momentum. International contributions added valuable perspectives on monitoring systems and reducing non-communicable disease burdens.
What truly defined the event was the sense of connection: an atmosphere of openness, energy, and mutual support. As the project enters its next phase, the momentum from Madrid will continue to guide collective efforts to strengthen health systems so everyone in Europe has a fair chance at good health.
To relive the atmosphere and energy of these days, we invite you to watch our mood video capturing the unmistakable JACARDI spirit of the event.
Mitja Lainscak: My hope is that we can intervene earlier for more patients
“It’s important that the JACARDI initiative and its outcomes gain visibility within the scientific community”, stresses Mitja Lainscak, Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Ljubljana and member of JACARDI’s Scientific Advisory Board. As a clinical practitioner and researcher, he anticipates that collaboration will be one of the most important positive outcomes of the project, along with effects going from the regional or national level to the international level.
What significance does JACARDI hold for you and your organization?
I think that the organisations involved really appreciate being part of such a large initiative, trying to bring together efforts in the field of cardiovascular medicine and diabetes and to stimulate some potential cross-talk between the partners. The consortium is hosting more than 140 pilot projects with some of them related within or across the field.
One of the main benefits of an initiative like this, is that people talk to each other and realise that they can collaborate, so that their efforts can be transferred from the regional or national level to the international level.
How do you see JACARDI’s role in tackling the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Europe?
Our society is aging and that’s an unavoidable reality. Advances in medicine have played a significant role in this trend. In addition, improvements in detection tools and the capabilities of our healthcare system have enhanced our ability to identify patients more effectively.
I hope we will identify more people at risk, as well as those with single or multiple conditions. Early detection is crucial because it allows us to start treatment earlier in the course of the disease, rather than waiting until it has progressed and caused irreversible damage. My hope is that we can intervene earlier for more patients.
How do you think JACARDI will influence future collaboration on cardiovascular disease and diabetes prevention in Europe?
JACARDI is a Joint Action, supported by the European Union and recognised by the scientific community. In a previous newsletter, I read a message from Professor Thomas F. Lüscher, the President of European Society of Cardiology highlighting the importance of JACARDI in shaping the future of cardiovascular disease and diabetes management through collaborative, data-driven care for the benefit of patients. I believe a similar message will come from the diabetes community. So, as said previously, having like-minded experts in the same room encourages discussion and cross-fertilisation of ideas. I anticipate that participants will begin to collaborate outside of the JACARDI framework, which I see as a positive outcome.
The European Society of Cardiology and the diabetes associations are already aligned, and I believe JACARDI has a crucial role to play in promoting future collaboration.
It’s important that the JACARDI initiative and its outcomes, such as pilot results, gain visibility in the scientific community. Researchers need to present their findings at conferences and submit their work for publication. This is essential to demonstrate that the funding received has been used effectively. Ultimately, it’s important to ensure that the investments made produce tangible results.
Based on your experience as a cardiologist, what do you consider the most critical factors in improving data-driven healthcare outcomes?
This is an extremely important question. Speaking from a national perspective, as someone from Slovenia, I’d like to extend this to an international context.
I believe that the lack of IT support for collecting data is a crucial issue. Slovenia is a small country with 2 million inhabitants and 14 hospitals, but we lack a unified IT system across these institutions. Although all hospitals are publicly owned and we have a single insurance provider, we struggle to collect comprehensive epidemiological data. We have a national hospitalization database, but it doesn’t give you the granularity of patient data.
The first necessary step would be the development of IT solutions, possibly using artificial intelligence, to extract the necessary data from medical records, particularly in terms of epidemiology. In my opinion, we still lack accurate figures for many diseases, both in Slovenia and across Europe.
Without this data, we cannot fully understand the scope of the problem, making it difficult to effectively allocate resources for patient management. I believe that the JACARDI pilots will showcase best practices in addressing this epidemiological data gap.
In terms of how JACARDI’s research and initiatives could support lasting, practical changes in clinical practice across Europe, particularly in Slovenia, I anticipate that most findings will primarily reflect the pilot country’s specific context . However, some lessons can be adapted across borders. Each country involved will focus on its specific challenges, but I believe that through meetings like this, where participants are encouraged to share their work, others can identify relevant lessons.
The perspective of the Advisory Board members is crucial in this process, as we aim to integrate ideas from different work packages that may not always communicate effectively with each other. This collaboration is essential.
Dr. Mitja Lainscak is a Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Ljubljana and conducts clinical practice and research at the Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Murska Sobota, Slovenia. He is the Director of the Slovenian Research Agency and his clinical and research interest is cardiovascular medicine with particular emphasis on heart failure, pharmacotherapy, and metabolism with body composition. He has published more than 170 papers and holds an Executive Committee member position at the Heart Failure Association of the ESC.
Learn more about Mitja Lainscak and his work and connect on LinkedIn.
Strengthening cardiovascular care resilience across Europe: the RESIL-Card initiative
The RESIL-Card project was launched in December 2023 due to the critical vulnerabilities in cardiovascular care delivery that were highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESIL-Card is a 3-year EU4Health-funded initiative. It is led by We CARE, along with partners GISE (Italy), Amsterdam UMC’s Healthcare Services and Systems Research Group (The Netherlands), and CatSalut (Catalonia).
The aim of this initiative is to strengthen the resilience of European (EU) cardiovascular care systems to ensure the continuity of high-quality care during future potential crises. The project’s core focus is the development of a resilience assessment toolkit to help cardiovascular stakeholders evaluate and enhance the preparedness of their care pathways. Given the increasingly complex international context and the recent launch of crisis preparedness initiatives in Europe, RESIL-Card’s mission is deemed more relevant than ever. The project reflects a shared commitment among partners to improving cardiovascular care resilience through innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
The project is supported by major EU cardiovascular organisations and a multistakeholder Advisory Board. The work is divided into specific work packages, including an initial phase (WP1) focused on designing the toolkit, pilot testing (WP2) and dissemination (WP3).
The initial phase (WP1) involved designing the resilience assessment toolkit. Insights were gathered to characterize pandemic-related disruptions, adaptations, and innovations. The Amsterdam UMC group, leading the design work, explained that they used a “stepwise and inclusive approach” to developing an evidence-based tool, relying on lessons learned from the pandemic. This methodology included a scoping review, a survey of EU cardiologists, and focus groups with clinical, organisational, and policy experts. The first version of the RESIL-Card toolkit was released in January 2025, marking a key milestone in the project.
A Head of a Cardiology Department (Italy) who participated in a focus group reflected on the difficulty of revisiting past events but recognized their necessity: “It hasn’t been easy to relive some moments that now seem so far away, but they are what allowed us to emerge from a pandemic and will hopefully help us through any crises we may still encounter”.
Pilot testing of the RESIL-Card toolkit (WP2) is currently underway. This phase is assessing the toolkit’s functionality, usability, and real-world applicability. The workstream lead for pilot testing (CatSalut) noted that it is “notable how enthusiastic healthcare professionals are about strengthening the system, not just for individual patients, but for the benefit of the entire population”.
Dissemination efforts (WP3) throughout 2026 will promote the broad adoption and integration of the RESIL-Card toolkit into EU healthcare systems. The project anticipates amplifying its impact through collaboration with JACARDI and supporting bodies like EUPHA.
To learn more about RESIL-CARD, check the project’s news on the following platforms, Website, X, LinkedIn