Healthy habits through storytelling: PODiaCar’s mission to reach 25,000 children

PODiaCar (Pediatric Health Through Prevention, Education, and Innovation) is an action grant created to address childhood obesity, which is identified as one of the most pressing public health concerns of our time. Childhood obesity carries long-term consequences that can lead to chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The project combines medical innovation with educational awareness. PODiaCar’s mission is twofold:

1. Promote early detection of risk factors for obesity-related diseases (T2D and CVD) using predictive tools and digital modeling to predict future health outcomes.
2. Raise awareness and foster healthy behaviors among children and families through engaging and accessible communication strategies.

The project is grounded not only in scientific rigor but also on the conviction that education and early awareness are essential for long-lasting impact.

PODiaCar was launched in late 2023 and is coordinated by the Buzzi Children’s Hospital – ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco in Milan. It involves a multidisciplinary team with partners from across Europe, specifically including organizations from:

• Italy (University of Pavia, Pavia)
• Spain (University of Granada)
• Malta (Asomi College of Science, Pembroke)
• Luxembourg (University of Applied Sciences, Differdange)

The project places children’s health at the center of community-led change and specifically targets children and families. By the end of the project, PODiaCar aims to reach over 25,000 children directly through its campaigns and educational activities.

The project’s educational campaign has been launched in kindergartens and primary schools across several European countries. Activities use interactive materials, storytelling, and classroom engagement to promote healthy habits in everyday learning environments.

The team is actively engaged in technical and clinical work, including the development of advanced digital tools:

• Advanced Screening Tool: This tool integrates clinical, nutritional, and behavioral data to identify children at risk of developing T2D and CVD.
• Personalized Digital Twin: This virtual model will help simulate and track a child’s health pathway over time, offering tailored recommendations and monitoring tools.

One of the first major successes was the creation of an animated cartoon designed to teach young children about healthy eating, physical activity, and overall wellbeing. The animated cartoon translates scientific concepts into playful, engaging messages that children can easily understand and enjoy.

The project also participated in the Trofei di Milano Cortina, a major sporting event linked to the Olympic games, providing a valuable opportunity to reach children and families in a dynamic, real-world setting.

Since its launch, PODiaCar has made significant steps toward its ambitious goals. The initial achievements include the creation and launch of the animated cartoon and the rollout of the educational campaign in kindergartens and primary schools. The development of the advanced screening tool and the Digital Twin is currently progressing.

The project’s evaluation methodology relies on the use of predictive tools and digital modelling. The personalized Digital Twin will function as a monitoring tool, helping to simulate and track a child’s health pathway over time.

The PODiaCar team warmly invites stakeholders across Europe to join the project’s mission to improve pediatric health through prevention, education, and innovation. The overall goal is to empower the next generation to grow up healthy, informed, and confident in their ability to take care of their own wellbeing.

For more information, visit the official website of the project. The project’s news can also be followed on Instagram.

Small lifestyle changes, big difference: PREACT shows the way

The PREACT (Prophylactic Education & Actions for Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes) project is an initiative that aims to prevent and reduce cardiometabolic risk, focusing primarily on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes. These conditions are identified as leading causes of illness and death across Europe.

PREACT responds to this challenge with a strong focus on prevention over treatment. The core mission is achieved through early intervention, education, and behavior change. The project employs a collaborative, evidence-based, and community-driven approach to promote long-term health and well-being.

“PREACT is more than a project, it’s a mission to turn health awareness into daily action.” – said Pr. Evgenia Vlachou, a diabetes researcher. It launched in November 2023 and is scheduled to run through October 2026, spanning a total of 36 months.

A consortium was formed at inception, comprising diverse entities,bringing together academic institutions, healthcare professionals, public authorities, and civil society from across the EU. The project held its Kick-off Meeting in Athens in January 2024, which included 18 representatives from all partner organizations to align the vision, define roles, and finalize the strategic framework. The presence of the European Commission’s project officer during this meeting ensured compliance with EU standards.

Activities take place through pilot projects in schools, health institutions, and community settings across partner countries, reaching a diverse audience of community members, students, and institutional staff.

PREACT’s educational strategy includes several key development and training activities:

• The project held a joint staff training event in Komotini in June 2024.
• The event aimed to build a shared pedagogical foundation among trainers and co-develop culturally and linguistically tailored educational content.
• The educational toolkit and intervention materials were finalized and refined between July and October 2024, resulting in a comprehensive set of learner and facilitator resources.

Key milestones and phases of the project include:

1. Kick-off Meeting held in Athens in January 2024.
2. A comprehensive needs analysis undertaken from February to May 2024, focusing on modifiable risk factors like smoking, diet, physical inactivity, and caffeine consumption, particularly in the Greek and broader European context.
3. The joint staff training event held in Komotini in June 2024.
4. Launching  ten pilot actions starting in November 2024 and running through June 2025 in schools, health institutions, and community settings to test the materials’ real-world applicability and impact.

The needs analysis findings directly informed the design of PREACT’s educational materials. The project has finalized an educational toolkit and intervention materials.

In its first 18 months, PREACT successfully established a strong collaborative foundation and completed the initial research and preparation phases.

The success is attributed to the strong collaboration and real-world insights shared by diverse partners, including researchers, health professionals, and community educators.

• Prof. K. Papadimitriou, a trainer, commented that “small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. PREACT equips us to inspire those changes in practical, culturally relevant ways”.
• Olga R. from NGO OPORA noted that the Komotini training helped the team “build tools shaped by the people they’re meant to serve”.

The pilot actions, running from November 2024 to June 2025, were designed to test the real-world applicability and impact of the PREACT materials.

PREACT encourages engagement from various stakeholders, including health professionals, educators, policymakers, or anyone passionate about building healthier communities, inviting all to contribute to the mission.

For more information, visit the official project website.

JACARDI’s synergies with Action Grants: reducing the diabetes burden together

The four projects – DUSE, PIA, PREACT, PoDiaCar — and JACARDI are fundamentally anchored in the same mission: addressing the immense public health: the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), particularly Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) and Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD). The shared approach of these actions universally champions prevention over treatment, implemented through strategies focused on early intervention, education, and sustained behavior change. 

A central demographic synergy is the heavy focus on empowering youth, with four projects targeting children, adolescents, and students in school and community settings to establish healthy habits early. This wide-reaching effort is facilitated by robust cross-national collaboration, involving large consortia to ensure methods are scalable and evidence-based across diverse regions. 

Furthermore, the projects demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing health inequalities by focusing interventions on vulnerable populations, including migrants and refugees. Synergistic actions involve JACARDI sharing its “4Cs” framework for integrating equity and diversity principles, providing a structured approach for the Action Grants to design inclusive interventions. 

Leveraging the advancements of technology, all initiatives integrate digital solutions  to modernize health management and engagement: DUSE uses a serious gaming app and empowers students to build their own health-tracking applications using the MIT App Inventor. PoDiaCar exhibits significant medical innovation by developing an Advanced Screening Tool and a Personalized Digital Twin to predict and simulate a child’s health pathway over time. Furthermore, PIA contributes digitally by developing a mobile application and remote monitoring tool for proactive health management. PREACT ensures real-world impact by finalizing and testing a comprehensive, evidence-based educational toolkit in community settings.

Implementation synergies are further supported by JACARDI sharing resources like the Ophelia methodology (Optimising Health Literacy and Access) to enhance Health Literacy tools within Action Grants like DUSE, PIA, and PREACT, ensuring educational content is accessible and culturally appropriate for targeted high-risk groups. This intensive cooperation across technical work packages, including collaborative development of standardized screening protocols (JACARDI Work Package on Screening, PIA, PREACT), ensures methodological consistency and enhances the scalability of effective prevention strategies across Member States.

Collectively, these projects contribute to a unified, technologically informed movement committed to cultivating healthier, more informed generations across Europe.

DUSE: Educating Youth for Lifelong Health and Diabetes Prevention

The DUSE (Counteracting diabetes using interdisciplinary educative programs) project addresses type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. T2DM is classified as a lifestyle-related Non-Communicable Disease (NCD). It is often connected to modifiable risk factors, including obesity, physical inactivity, and unhealthy eating habits.

DUSE’s approach focuses strongly on prevention rather than cure. The core mission is to educate and empower children and adolescents to adopt and sustain healthy habits from an early age. This goal is achieved by promoting long-term well-being through regular physical activity and good nutrition.

DUSE launched in January 2024 and is scheduled to conclude in December 2026.

The consortium delivering the interventions includes partners from four participating countries: Italy, Greece, Romania, and Ukraine. The project is coordinated by Prof. Milena Raffi, Associate Professor in Human Physiology, University of Bologna.

The primary target audience consists of children and adolescents. During the first year of the project, the consortium successfully provided interventions to 463 kids across 10 schools. This work in Ukraine is particularly noted for giving children facing stress and uncertainty a sense of agency.

Prof. Milena Raffi, project coordinator, stated that DUSE is helping students build the curiosity, confidence, and skills required to take ownership of their well-being, demonstrating that prevention can be empowering and start early.

The project implements a truly interdisciplinary journey. Educational activities have included a variety of teaching methods:

• Nutritional and cuisine lessons;
• Interactive lectures;
• Physical activity training;
• Group works and physical activity days;
• Students have specifically delved into subjects like nutrition science, endocrinology, and physiology.

PhD student Michela Bridi shared that it was inspiring to witness the children’s enthusiasm when they learned how to read food labels or design meals that were balanced.

DUSE harnesses mobile technology and innovative tools to engage students:

• Students are engaged through a serious gaming app, which is a digital game designed to help them learn, train, or build healthy habits for real life.
• The project uses the MIT App Inventor platform.
• Students are encouraged to participate in app development labs and build their own health-tracking apps.
• These innovative tools foster both self-awareness and a mindset geared toward digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

In its first year, the project has  successfully engaged  463 children in 10 schools within the four partner countries.

Project leaders and participants have shared insights on DUSE’s impact:

• High school student Daniel reflected that designing an app about healthy habits helped him realize how much technology can assist people in living better, emphasizing that the process involved creating something meaningful for themselves and others.
• Oleksandr Fomichov noted that in Ukraine, DUSE provided children facing “enormous stress and uncertainty” with hope, knowledge, and a sense of agency. This engagement shows that empowerment and prevention can “thrive even in times of disruption”.

As the school year continues, follow-up evaluations will be conducted. These evaluations will measure how the students’ behaviors and attitudes have evolved, specifically utilizing questionnaires and the analysis of food diaries.

DUSE is defined as more than a project, it is a movement toward cultivating a healthier generation. Everyone is invited to follow the progress and remain engaged. By working together, the goal is to help the next generation gain control of their health through smart choices.

For more information, visit the DUSE website.

Career interventions for people with non‑communicable diseases

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 Non-communicable diseases · Career intervention · Inclusion · Work ability · Chronic diseases

Authors: Martina Lanza, Alessia Marcassoli, Leonardi Matilde ,Guastafierro Erika, Ewelina Chawłowska, Agnieszka Lipiak, Maria Nowosadko, Barbara Gawłowska, Fornari Arianna

Abstract:

Aim Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are medical conditions associated with long duration and slow progress. Many working-age persons with chronic conditions face job-related difficulties. The aim of this scoping review is to provide evidence about career interventions implemented in Europe for people with non-communicable diseases.
Subject and methods Studies were searched using PubMed and Scopus electronic databases and the selection process followed the Population Concept Context framework. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the quality of studies included. The search string was based on two main terms: “health condition” and “intervention in the labour setting”.
Studies conducted in European countries and published in English between 2020 and 2024 were included.
Results A total of 830 studies were screened and five were finally included. Quality assessment score ranged from 40 to 100%. Most of the studies describe interventions provided in clinical settings involving mainly healthcare professionals.
All included studies aimed to increase healthcare professionals’ knowledge on managing chronic diseases at work and/or to support patients’ return to work. However, no companies or employers were involved in the implementation strategies, highlighting an important gap in the application of interventions in a real-world context.
Conclusion The evidence on workplace interventions for workers with NCDs in Europe is very limited. Existing initiatives focus largely on healthcare-based approaches and professional training but without translation into real-world workplace contexts. Strengthening communication between healthcare systems, occupational health services, and business organizations is essential to develop and implement feasible interventions. As the number of working-age persons with non-communicable diseases is increasing and will probably increase in the future, supporting this group’s work ability constitutes an urgent public health challenge.

Source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10389-025-02640-9

The invisible shift that marks a woman’s heart forever 🫀 

Hot flashes, mood changes and sleep disturbances are often associated with menopause. But the real, silent threat may lie deeper: the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death among postmenopausal women, yet awareness is still low.

Women typically develop heart disease later than men, thanks to the vascular protection offered by estrogen during their reproductive years. But once this hormonal shield declines, risk rises sharply. Estrogen helps regulate lipids, supports endothelial function, and controls inflammation. Without it, LDL cholesterol increases, arteries stiffen, and insulin resistance becomes more common.

📉 Menopause increases risk factors

As highlighted in research developed in Poland [1], the menopausal period is a critical window for cardiovascular risk acceleration. Several factors emerge or intensify during this time: lipid disorders, type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and lifestyle issues like smoking and physical inactivity. In simple terms, during menopause the body experiences more “wear and tear” at the cellular level (known as oxidative stress), and the nervous system becomes more active, which can tighten blood vessels. Substances like endothelin also cause blood vessels to narrow. All these changes can irritate the blood vessel walls and make them stiffer over time.

Physiologically, there’s also a rise in oxidative stress, sympathetic nervous activity, and vasoconstrictive agents like endothelin, contributing to vascular inflammation and arterial remodeling.

Hypertension, in particular, is often underdiagnosed and undertreated in women. In developed countries, about 30% of adult women live with it, many unknowingly. Postmenopausal women are twice as likely to develop hypertension compared to premenopausal women, and even borderline cases can cause more vascular damage in women than in men [2].

This hormonal shift doesn’t just mark the end of fertility, it fundamentally rewires the cardiovascular system. A meta-analysis confirmed that women with early menopause (before age 45) face a higher risk of hypertension, likely due to a steeper drop in estrogen and a lower estrogen-to-androgen ratio [3]. Regular monitoring and healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercise and a balanced diet, are crucial to managing these risks and maintaining heart health.

A gap that matters

Despite strong evidence, most cardiovascular risk assessments still overlook menopause as a critical factor. This oversight leaves many women underdiagnosed during a key phase of vulnerability. Menopause must be seen as a cardiovascular checkpoint. Risk models should integrate hormonal status, and clinicians should tailor prevention, screening, and even hormone therapy decisions with heart health in mind.

That’s where JACARDI comes in. One of the core objectives of the joint action is to address gender-specific gaps in cardiovascular care, including the urgent need to improve outcomes for women in midlife. Menopause can no longer be left out of the cardiovascular conversation.

Let’s bridge the gap. Women’s hearts deserve it!

#JACARDI #EU4Health #CardiovascularHealth #WomensHealth #MenopauseAwareness

Sources: 

[1] Ryczkowska K, Adach W, Janikowski K, Banach M, Bielecka-Dabrowa A. Menopause and women’s cardiovascular health: is it really an obvious relationship? Archives of Medical Science. 2023;19(2):458-466. https://doi.org/10.5114/aoms/157308 

[2] Miller, V. M., Lahr, B. D., Bailey, K. R., Heit, J. A., Harman, S. M., & Jayachandran, M. (2015). Longitudinal effects of menopausal hormone treatments on platelet characteristics and cell-derived microvesicles. Platelets, 27(1), 32–42. https://doi.org/10.3109/09537104.2015.1023273 

[3] Anagnostis, P., Theocharis, P., Lallas, K., Konstantis, G., Mastrogiannis, K., Bosdou, J. K., … & Goulis, D. G. (2020). Early menopause is associated with increased risk of arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Maturitas, 135, 74-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.03.006

European countries unite in Madrid to tackle health inequalities at the General Assembly of JACARDI

From 14 to 16 October 2025, Madrid hosts the third General Assembly of the Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI), gathering more than 200 participants from 21 European countries

• Discussions centre on health, equity, gender disparities, monitoring systems, sustainability across all the “patient journey”, and the forthcoming EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.
• High-level institutional representatives, including the European Commission, the WHO Regional Office for Europe and health authorities from Spain, together with key experts and representatives from the scientific and civil society, deliver keynote speeches setting the stage for dialogue with the aim to strengthen collaboration to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases across Europe

Madrid, Spain – Equity in health remains one of Europe’s most pressing challenges. Differences in access to care, diagnosis, and treatment continue to shape health outcomes across the region. Gender is emerging as a particularly critical dimension, as women in Europe face worse outcomes in cardiovascular disease, from higher mortality after heart attacks to longer delays in receiving treatment. Furthermore, data from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC Atlas of Cardiology) reveals that 40% of women in the EU die from cardiovascular disease.

This challenging reality is at the centre of discussions at the Third General Assembly of the Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI), taking place in Madrid from 14 to 16 October and hosted at the Spanish Ministry of Health and the Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Madrid.

The Assembly brings together more than 200 representatives from 21 European countries, including the European Commission, the WHO Regional Office for Europe, scientific societies, and patient organisations. This year’s programme places gender and equity at the heart of the agenda, alongside sustainability, data monitoring, and the forthcoming EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.

With equal access to prevention and care at the forefront, participants reflect on the progress made during the first two years of JACARDI to highlight lessons learned and barriers tackled while improving care pathways in diverse settings across European health systems. 

“At the heart of JACARDI is the belief that health systems must serve everyone, fairly and equally. That’s why equity and diversity are not side topics in JACARDI, they are central to everything we do. This General Assembly in Madrid is an opportunity to show that together we can accelerate the shift towards a more equitable and healthier future”, adds Dr Benedetta Armocida, JACARDI’s Coordinator.

“Women are more likely to die from a heart attack and yet remain underrepresented in clinical trials, leaving critical knowledge gaps that perpetuate unequal care. Recognising gender differences in cardiovascular disease is not about division, it is about improving care to meet the unique needs of everyone”, says Dr Héctor Bueno, co-leader of JACARDI’s Work Package on data availability and quality and group leader of the Multidisciplinary Translational Cardiovascular Research at the Spanish National Centre for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC).

In the spotlight: The Cardiovascular Health Plan

The meeting takes place at a pivotal moment as the European Commission prepares the Cardiovascular Health Plan. By connecting JACARDI’s insights and pilot experiences to this political momentum, the Assembly intends to strengthen motivation, collaboration, and collective capacity to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases across Europe. To this end, there is a dedicated roundtable during the event focusing on the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, featuring representatives from DG SANTE (the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety), the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), and scientific societies such as the European Society of Cardiology, the European Heart Network, the European Diabetes Forum and the International Diabetes Federation. 

Contributions from WHO Regional Office for Europe and the JA PreventNCD initiative on monitoring systems and reducing health inequities are included on the agenda as well as pilot experiences from Portugal, Spain, Iceland, Romania, Belgium, Ireland, Italy and Poland, highlighting early results from JACARDI’s 143 pilot projects.

The agenda also explores sustainability and the translation of evidence into policy, ensuring that JACARDI’s pilot actions contribute to long-term change. On October 15 and 16, dedicated sessions explore specific focus areas, such as health literacy, integrated care pathways, data accessibility, and patient self-management. These workshops are designed to facilitate in-depth discussions and promote actionable insights to enhance health outcomes across Europe.

About JACARDI:

JACARDI, a Joint Action of the European Union, is a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Through coordinated efforts among European member states, the program focuses on evidence-based strategies and best practices to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases effectively. JACARDI is conducting 143 pilots to test evidence-based practices for preventing and managing cardiovascular disease and diabetes, with 81 partner institutions across 21 European countries.

Adopting tailored interprofessional protocols in general practice

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: Laurent Desmet, Eva Goossens, Peter Van Bogaert and Katrien Danhieux

Abstract:

Background As the burden of non-communicable diseases continues to rise, general practices in primary care face increasing challenges in delivering high-quality care while managing workload constraints. Interprofessional care models, supported by practice-tailored protocols, offer a promising approach to optimizing task shifting and enhancing care coordination. However, the transition towards protocol-based interprofessional care remains complex and understudied.
Objective This study explores the experiences of general practices in developing and implementing practicetailored protocols to facilitate interprofessional care. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we identify key barriers, facilitators and strategies that support this transition.
Method We conducted a qualitative study in Flanders, Belgium, using semi-structured interviews with 33 healthcare providers from 18 general practices. Participants represented various disciplines, including general practitioners, nurses, dietitians and reception staff. A hybrid qualitative analysis was applied, beginning with an inductive analysis based on Braun and Clarke’s thematic approach, followed by a deductive phase guided by the CFIR-framework.
Results The findings highlight several key factors influencing the development and implementation of practicetailored protocols in general practices. Participants emphasized that clear task allocation and communication structures within protocols improved care coordination. External factors, such as financial constraints and high workloads, posed challenges, whereas collaborations with external healthcare providers facilitated interprofessional teamwork. Internal practice dynamics, including a shared vision, mutual trust, and structured team meetings, were identified as crucial enablers. At the individual level, motivation to adopt protocols varies, with some physicians expressing reluctance due to concerns about shifting patient relationships and increasing complexity in their caseloads. The implementation process benefited from a stepwise approach guided by a team leader, clear goal
setting, continuous evaluation and peer learning.

Source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-025-13424-y

Evaluating the effectiveness of lifestyle education for individuals at increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases(Halt2Diabetes)

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: Jorik Vergauwen, Fanny Monnet, Josefien Van Olmen, Edwin Wouters, Katrien Danhieux, Laurent Desmet, Monika Martens, Ruth Verdegem, Justine Vanhaecke, Aurélie Lampaert, Sabine Verstraete, Inge Everaert and William Leysen

Abstract:

Background Halt2Diabetes is a prevention initiative in Flanders, Belgium, targeting the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The program uses a two-step approach to identify high-risk individuals and guide them towards healthier lifestyles, reducing T2D and CVD risk factors. Building on evidence that lifestyle interventions can prevent both conditions by addressing modifiable risk factors, this research evaluates the effectiveness of Halt2Diabetes as a scalable real-world intervention and its potential as a blueprint for other contexts.
Methods The Halt2Diabetes program identifies high-risk individuals using the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) through an online risk assessment tool. Eligible participants, referred by general practitioners, participate in six groupbased lifestyle guidance sessions led by trained dietitians, focusing on healthy eating, physical activity, and behavior modification. This longitudinal study employs repeated measurements at five time points over 18 months. Primary outcomes include changes in body weight, waist circumference, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Secondary outcomes encompass blood pressure, cholesterol levels, physical activity, and dietary habits. Data collection involves self-reported questionnaires, biochemical measures, and anthropometric assessments. Analysis will examine longitudinal changes in health and behavioral outcomes among participants.
Discussion This study will provide evidence for the real-world effectiveness of Halt2Diabetes in promoting sustained lifestyle changes and reducing T2D and CVD risk factors. Despite challenges including participation barriers and data integration needs, the program’s scalable, digitalized risk assessment model shows promise for broader application.

Source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-025-24462-w

More than cancer: The silent epidemic in Europe 

“I almost didn’t see my daughter graduate.” Alice, a 45-year-old mother of two, was the picture of health, or so she thought. Until one day, a sudden heart attack left her in the ICU, fighting for her life. Like many others, Alice was unaware of her cardiovascular risk factors. Her story is a stark reminder of the silent epidemic plaguing Europe: cardiovascular disease (CVD). Historically, CVD has been the leading cause of death in the European Union, claiming over 1.8 million lives annually and affecting more than 60 million people. [1],[2] Recent improvements in cardiovascular care in some countries highlight progress, but the burden of CVD remains unparalleled.

Despite its massive toll, CVD lacks the policy attention it deserves. Rising obesity and diabetes rates, particularly among younger populations, are fueling this crisis, while the decline in mortality rates has slowed alarmingly. Marleen Kestens, Manager of CVD Prevention Policies at the European Heart Network (EHN), underscores this urgency:

“CVD remains the leading cause of death in the EU, surpassing cancer and diabetes, yet it has long lacked the policy attention it urgently requires. The progress achieved through Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan presents a clear opportunity: its lessons, good practices, and even its unimplemented measures on prevention and nutrition can help shape an effective Cardiovascular Health (CVH) Plan. With up to 80% of premature CVD deaths being preventable through public health measures and/or preventative treatment, the time to act is now to make the healthy choice the default choice.” 

A blueprint for action

The success of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, reflected in the fact that over 90% of its actions are completed or well underway. Council Recommendations on cancer screening, on vaccine-preventable cancers, and on smoke- and aerosol-free environments provide recommendations to Member States and are extending access to important tools such as cancer screening, Human Papillomavirus and Hepatitis B vaccination, and strengthening protection from cancer risk factors such as tobacco. [3] 

These principles are equally vital for tackling CVD. JACARDI is committed to building on this momentum. By collaborating with organizations like EHN and supporting the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH)’s roadmap, JACARDI aims to promote preventative care and education, advocate for evidence-based policy changes, and foster partnerships to enhance cardiovascular health across Europe.

For the Coordination Team of JACARDI, “the current policy momentum presents a pivotal opportunity to advance the development and implementation of a dedicated EU Cardiovascular Health Plan. Building on the achievements and lessons of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, such a framework must be tailored to the distinct complexities of cardiovascular disease prevention, early detection, and integrated care. We strongly endorse this strategic direction. We are firmly committed to contributing to and advocating for a comprehensive, equity-driven EU response.”

Central to JACARDI’s mission is the promotion of equity and diversity inclusion, grounded in gender-responsive and context-specific approaches. “We believe that only by embedding these principles at every level of policy and practice can we truly reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, and ensure that no one is left behind,” explain the members of JACARDI’s Coordination Team.

Aligned with JACARDI’s vision, EACH envisions a future where, by 2030, premature and preventable deaths from CVD are reduced by one-third [4]. This ambitious goal aligns with Sustainable Development Goal Target 3.4 and prioritizes access to high-quality risk assessments, personalized care pathways, and reduction of health inequalities across Europe.

Turning vision into reality

Alice’s story, though fictional, represents the reality faced by millions. CVD is a silent epidemic, but it doesn’t have to remain that way. By learning from the successes of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and implementing a robust Cardiovascular Health Plan, fewer lives will be lost to preventable cardiovascular conditions. Together, we can make cardiovascular health a priority across Europe and create a future where the healthy choice becomes the default choice.

About the CVH Plan

The European Commission is currently developing the European Cardiovascular Health Plan (CVH Plan) to address Europe’s leading cause of death. In parallel, the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) has published A European Cardiovascular Health Plan: The Roadmap, which sets out a shared vision and concrete recommendations to reduce premature and preventable cardiovascular deaths by one third by 2030. Together, these efforts aim to ensure universal access to risk assessments, patient-centred care, and comprehensive strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Learn more.

Sources: 

[1] Fighting cardiovascular disease – a blueprint for EU action, June 2020. European Heart Network and the European Society of Cardiology. https://ehnheart.org/about-cvd/eu-action-on-cvd/ 

[2] Samuel Chin Wei Tan, Bin-Bin Zheng, Mae-Ling Tang, Hongyuan Chu, Yun-Tao Zhao, Cuilian Weng, Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and its Risk Factors, 1990–2021: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 2025; hcaf022, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcaf022

[3] Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan: a comprehensive action plan working hand in hand with the Cancer Mission. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies: Domenico Fiorenza Glanzmann, Vittoria Carraro, Philippe Roux; CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. 12 March 2025, https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/380751/Eurohealth-31-1-6-eng.pdf?sequence=1 

[4] A European Cardiovascular Health Plan: The need and the ambition, May 2022. European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH). https://www.cardiovascular-alliance.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/EACH-Plan-Final_130522.pdf 

Bridging Borders: promoting public health across cultures

Katarzyna Brukało is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Silesia (SUM) in Katowice, Poland. She is a public health and dietetics specialist with over 15 years of academic and research experience. Her current work focuses on innovative approaches to NCD prevention, health promotion, and evidence-based policy. She is actively involved in EU and WHO projects such as JAHEE, Best Re-MaP, Health4EUkids, JACARDI, and JA PreventNCD.

You lead 15 very diverse pilot projects in JA PreventNCD, all centered around the concept of healthy living environments. Why is working at the local level so important, and what impact do you hope these pilots will have?

Our work package is very broad, because we have 15 pilot projects that are all very different. For example, we are adapting breastfeeding best practices from our Norwegian partners and implementing them in Greece. These are two very different contexts, with different conditions, and we also have pilots that promote drinking tap water, among many other activities.

What’s important is that all of these are implemented at the local level. This means we are close to the communities, close to the citizens, and that’s where we can make the biggest impact. Local governments and local structures have real power, and when we use this effectively, we can build on this work to make an impact on national policies as well. It’s like a puzzle: each pilot is one piece, and together they create the bigger picture.

Looking at the bigger picture, what is your dream result at the end of this project journey?

Our vision is not that Norway should become like Greece, or Greece like Norway. Instead, the real goal is that we learn from one another, build a good professional relationship with the facilitators, understand each other’s barriers, and use this knowledge to build responsible, community-based public health initiatives based on peer learning.

SUM University is also active in JACARDI. How do JACARDI and Prevent NCDs complement each other, and what added value do they bring when combined?

It’s very valuable that we are part of both Joint Actions, which we often call sister actions. JACARDI focuses mainly on cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, while Prevent NCDs addresses non-communicable diseases more broadly, including cancer.

Together, they allow us to tackle the full spectrum of non-communicable diseases. Only by acting together can we make a real impact, not just at the national level but also internationally.

You are known as an engaging communicator. How would you inspire others to make public health messages resonate?

For me, the key in communicating about public health is to be clear and responsible. We need to stand behind every word we say, because mistakes can lead to misinformation or even fuel fake news.

It’s also important to stay open to discussion, even engage in difficult debates and tough questions. Hard questions mean people are listening, reflecting, and engaging with what we say. That is, after all, why it is called public health, because it is for the public, and it must involve the public. Communication is central to this: raising awareness, building health literacy, and empowering people to understand their options.

About the JACARDI & JA PreventNCD collaboration:

The two projects are part of a broader network of European Union initiatives aimed at tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promoting public health. They work together to share knowledge, strategies, and resources, thereby amplifying their impact across the EU. By harnessing the synergies of these collaborative efforts, we can enhance the effectiveness of our initiatives, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to NCD prevention-and management, as well as health promotion.Explore more about the work of PreventNCDs here.

New online risk test by the Finnish Diabetes Association garners over 120,000 users in just one month

A groundbreaking new digital health initiative in Finland is empowering individuals to assess their risk of developing some of the country’s most common chronic illnesses, all from the comfort of their homes. This tool has been developed as part of a pilot program within JACARDI’s Work Package on screening by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the Finnish Diabetes Association.

The new online risk test has already garnered over 120,000 users in just one month, signaling a widespread public interest. In fact, drawing from extensive population-level health data, the tool estimates a person’s likelihood of developing: type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and memory disorders (such as dementia). The risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease is projected over 10 years, while memory disorders are evaluated over a 20-year timeline.

The test was developed by a team of experts, including Prof. Jaana Lindström, Research Manager at THL and Sari Koski, Director of Diabetes Courses and Knowledge Production at the Finnish Diabetes Association, under JACARDI’s Work Package on Screening, led by Hanna Tolonen from THL. It does not function as a diagnostic tool, yet it offers a general risk assessment based on an individual’s lifestyle and health background, providing valuable insights even before symptoms emerge. It is especially helpful for individuals who may not yet have access to clinical testing or regular medical evaluations.

The test is available online and can be completed in minutes, anonymously and free of charge. It is designed for adults of all ages and is especially relevant for those who are unaware of their risk factors. It can be used independently at home.

Each user receives a personalized summary of their risk, along with science-backed lifestyle suggestions. These include advice in areas, such as diet and nutrition, physical activity, sleep and recovery, and stress management.

By taking the test, individuals are encouraged to make small but impactful changes to their daily habits, changes that could significantly reduce their chances of developing chronic illnesses in the future.

Since its launch in late May 2025, the test has exceeded expectations; the section related to memory disorders has seen particularly high engagement.

This level of adoption underscores a growing interest among the Finnish population in self-directed health promotion and self-care. The success of the initiative also reflects how digital tools can complement traditional healthcare services by raising awareness, prompting early action, and reducing long-term healthcare costs.

Health authorities are enthusiastic about the test’s potential. Prof. Jaana Lindström, from THL, emphasized its preventive power, stating that recognizing risk is key to taking action in time.

Sari Koski, representing the Finnish Diabetes Association, highlighted the importance of modest lifestyle adjustments by saying that even small changes can lead to significant health benefits over time.

This perspective is supported by stark national statistics. Every year in Finland:

• Approximately 23,000 people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
• Around 22,000 with coronary artery disease
• About 23,000 begin experiencing memory-related disorders

These figures underline the urgent need for tools that enhance citizens’ awareness of chronic disease risk factors and promote early detection and lifestyle interventions.

For this reason, the launch of this new test quickly gained widespread attention, as the campaign was covered extensively by both major national and local media outlets across Finland. Leading publications highlighted the test’s potential to empower individuals to take control of their health. Regional news platforms played a key role in disseminating the information, ensuring that citizens across the country, from urban centers to rural municipalities, were informed about the tool.

The risk test serves not only as a personal wellness tool but also as a potential model for broader public health efforts. This strategy is not only beneficial for the individual but also contributes to the sustainability of the healthcare system.

Moreover, initiatives like this one are economically sensible: they help curb the rising costs of treating chronic conditions and allow more people to stay healthier and more productive for longer.

Finland’s new online risk test represents a timely and impactful tool for public health promotion. While not a replacement for medical diagnosis, it opens the door to greater personal responsibility and awareness. By bridging digital innovation with health promotion, it empowers citizens to act before illness strikes, and that might just be the key to a healthier future for all.