JACARDI

🎉 Season’s Greetings from the JACARDI Consortium! 🎉 Cardiovascular health and diabetes are two major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that demand immediate attention, coordinated action, and cross-border collaboration in Europe. 💡 The #JACARDI project is designed to tackle these challenges through the implementation of 142 pilot projects. 💙 In the first year, experts laid the groundwork for successful implementation. In 2025, pilot teams across Europe will begin taking action to drive better and more equitable health outcomes. We are committed to sharing the highlights of this journey. Let’s connect! Subscribe to our newsletter and visit our website for more information. 👇 https://jacardi.eu/ 🎁 To our partners, colleagues, and friends — we wish you a joyful and restful holiday season! ✨ See you in 2025! ✨ #JACARDI #EU4Health #HealthUnion #PublicHealth #CardiovascularHealth #Diabetes

📢 Fostering the dialogue!  Radiotelevisión Española invited Héctor Bueno to discuss #JACARDI, the most ambitious European initiative to reduce the burden of #CardiovascularDiseases (CVD) and #Diabetes, two of the leading causes of death in #Europe. Héctor Bueno is Head of Clinical Cardiology (Hospital 12 de Octubre) and researcher at CNIC - Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research / Centro Nac. Investigaciones Cardiovasc. and the i+12 Research Institute. He is also co-leader of Work Package 7 of the #JACARDI project, which focuses on improving the availability, quality, and accessibility of #data to empower policymakers in making informed decisions. During his intervention on Spanish National Television, he highlighted some of the projects being developed in Spain as part of this working group:  📱 Development of a mobile app to improve treatment adherence post #HeartAttack. 👩⚕️ Tackling #Gender differences in #CardiovascularHealth. 🌍 Creating a Health Atlas for #CVD. This action underlines the key role of local and national #communication and dissemination in promoting dialogue between researchers, stakeholders and the public to ensure the long-term success of JACARDI. Raising awareness is not just a complementary effort, it’s the foundation for creating lasting change. Don’t miss the video! 👏 #EU4Health #PublicHealth #DM #HealthAwareness

Health and equity: How #JACARDI is walking the walk Read Natalia Skogberg’s (chief researcher, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare) guest article on European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)’s website: Are you walking the walk, or still talking the talk? https://lnkd.in/epFKnUdj Theory comes alive - Actionable tools to implement change for better health outcome The root causes of health inequalities lie in societal factors that govern the distribution of power and wealth. We need a paradigm shift towards a public health policy that integrates diversity and inclusivity. The 4C conceptual framework offers a solution: 1. Critical Reflection: Recognizing our own biases and power dynamics. 2. Context and Data: Understanding the impact of data availability and methodology. 3. Co-design: Meaningful community engagement. 4. Communication: Ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. In the JACARDI project, we have developed this framework which will be implemented in 21 countries and 142 pilot projects. To effectively and sustainably address health inequities, we need training and tools to help us walk the walk: 🎯 An explanatory framework and shared terminology glossary so that we have the same vision and talk about the same things among the 142 national sub-projects under #JACARDI. 🎯 Consultations and trainings to strengthen capacity and to bring the concepts into practice. 🎯 The equity and diversity maturity matrix that serves as an actionable tool both for planning and self-assessment of how equity and diversity perspectives have been taken into account. Materials will be available on the JACARDI website in 2025. ☀️ It's time to move from words to actions and ensure our health policies are truly accessible to all. @nataliaskogberg; @EPHA; #JACARDI, #equity, #diversity, #inclusion, #dei #PublicHealth #EU4Health

How a smile could be a clue to cardiovascular health A smile could reveal more about health than often realized, especially regarding the heart. Recent research published in The American Journal of Medicine highlights the growing evidence linking #OralHealth to #CardiovascularHealth. Conditions like periodontal disease not only impact teeth and gums but may also raise the risk of heart disease and stroke. [1]   The key connection is chronic inflammation. Poor oral hygiene can lead to an overgrowth of harmful #bacteria in the mouth. When these bacteria enter the bloodstream, they contribute to systemic inflammation, which plays a significant role in the development of cardiovascular conditions. Oral bacteria contribute to arterial plaque formation, narrowing blood vessels and heightening the risk of heart attacks and #strokes. Over time, this process accelerates arterial damage and worsens #atherosclerosis. In addition, specific bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis, can cause localized thrombus formation and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from platelets. Addressing the inflammatory pathways triggered by oral bacteria could offer new insights into preventative #CardiovascularCare. A silent contributor to #hypertension Epidemiological studies suggest a strong link between oral health disorders and hypertension. In fact, #periodontitis has been associated with inflammatory mediators such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein, which affect endothelial function. Chronically inflamed gums can recruit immune cells to perivascular tissues, contributing to hypertension and atherosclerosis. [2] A meta-analysis published in Cardiovascular Research, the journal of the  European Society of Cardiology, found higher rates of hypertension in adults with periodontitis (7%-77%) compared to those without (4%-70%). Periodontitis was also more prevalent in those with hypertension (29%-61%) than in those without (17%-39%). [3] What to do? ⚙️ Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups can reduce inflammation and improve overall health. From a clinical perspective, healthcare professionals should inform patients with periodontitis about the higher risk of suffering #CardiovascularDisease and the importance of managing their risk factors, in line with the recommendations set out by the World Heart Federation and the European Federation of Periodontology. Furthermore, patients with cardiovascular disease and no periodontitis should be placed on a preventive care regime and monitored regularly. If periodontitis is diagnosed, it should be managed as soon as the patient's cardiovascular status permits. [4] Fostering collaboration between cardiologists and oral health professionals may be key to reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease while improving oral health outcomes across populations. Let’s work together for a healthier future! 🦷❤️ #JACARDI #EU4Health #CVD #HeartHealthAwareness

🚨Weekend read alert: EU health priorities explored by Hanna Tolonen Read Hanna Tolonen's editorial in the European Journal of Public Health, where she highlights the health priorities of the new European Commission, and reviews key topics outlined in the mission letter for the new Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare. In the EU4Health-funded #JACARDI Joint Action, Hanna is a key expert in the area of screening. In this article, she welcomes the progress that has been made by the previous Commission, and clearly defines the actions that will lead to the long-term sustainability of health. She ties these priorities to ongoing EU initiatives tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and describes the concept of Planetary Health, all contributing to the advancement of a wellbeing economy. 🌍💙 📖 A great short read for anyone interested in the future of public health in Europe! https://lnkd.in/d6dQPicA #JACARDI #EU4Health #HealthUnion #PublicHealth #WellbeingEconomy

💡 Read the inspiring words of a #diabetes advocate and learn more about what living with diabetes means for people with lived experience. Creating an equitable health system requires concrete steps, such as: 💙 improving health literacy 💙 ensuring access to education 💙 promoting inclusive participation 🌟 The #JACARDI Joint Action is incorporating these ambitions into its pilot planning and implementation process, contributing to the creation of an equitable health system that leaves no one behind. #OurRightsOurFuture #HumanRightsDay #HealthEquity #HealthInequalities #PublicHealth #Policy #HealthPromotion #JACARDI #PreventNCD #HaDEA

Human Rights Day 2024: Health is a Human Right! While people in the European Union live longer and healthier lives than previous generations, significant health inequalities persist between and within Member States. Inequalities are largely driven by the social determinants of health, including personal, social, economic, and environmental factors. These determinants are further influenced by societal forces such as policies and the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels. Health inequalities not only reduce individual well-being but also hinder economic growth, increase social care expenditures, and limit people's ability to contribute meaningfully to society. What can we do? To tackle these challenges, we need to: 1. Strengthen our commitment to addressing health inequalities. 2. Invest more in health promotion and disease prevention. 3. Improve health literacy and digital health literacy, particularly for those who need it most and strengthen organisational health literacy to create systemic change and better availability for all. 4. Develop forward-thinking policy solutions to reduce health inequalities. 5. Foster cross-country dialogue to share effective approaches and best practices. Health equity is essential for a thriving society. EU joint actions JACARDI and JA PreventNCD work together to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to live a healthy life, regardless of their background or circumstances. #OurRightsOurFuture #HumanRightsDay #HealthEquity #HealthInequalities #PublicHealth #Policy #HealthPromotion #JACARDI #PreventNCD #HaDEA

🫀🚨 Smoking causes 10% of all CVDs - one reason why JACARDI welcomes the adoption of Council recommendations to increase protection from second-hand smoke aerosols Good news from Brussels: Last week, the European Council adopted new recommendations to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), to achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2040 as part of Europe's Plan to Stop Cancer. A bold step towards a smoke-free future This new set of recommendations encourages EU countries to broaden the scope of their existing protections and extend protection from second-hand smoke to outdoor areas such as playgrounds, restaurant terraces and beaches. It also addresses emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products, which can release harmful emissions. It emphasises the need for stricter regulations on the use of these products in public places and workplaces, in order to protect the health of children and adolescents in particular. The European Commission will assess progress in implementing this Recommendation in five years, alongside efforts to update EU tobacco legislation. This is an important step towards a healthier, smoke-free future for Europe. Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/d8GrSjyE Check out the risks of tobacco use and passive smoking and you will be in no doubt as to why we need regulation for better health. ▶️Tobacco use affects almost every organ in the human body, leading to carcinomas, pulmonary diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. ▶️Smoking causes approximately 6 million deaths per year worldwide, with about 10% of these deaths from second-hand smoke exposure. ▶️Cigarette smoking can increase the incidence of myocardial infarction and fatal coronary artery diseases. ▶️Low-tar cigarettes and smokeless tobacco also increase the risk of cardiovascular events ▶️Passive smoking increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by 30%, which is nearly half the risk increase in active smokers ▶️Passive smoking is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular health. ▶️Children exposed to parental second-hand smoke may have impaired endothelial function as adults, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. ▶️Teenagers who start smoking are more likely to develop a tobacco addiction as adults. ▶️Smoking is not just a habit but a dependency due to nicotine. ▶️Smokers who start smoking at or before age 13 have higher nicotine dependence levels than those who start later. ▶️Smoking initiation in early adolescence is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. #BetterRegulation #EUPolicy #JACARDI #EU4Health #HealthUnion Sources: https://lnkd.in/dUDPx-zA doi: 10.7759/cureus.35966

Big news for cardiovascular health in Europe! 💙❤️🩹 The European Commission has announced the development of a new EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, a historic step towards reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease across Europe. JACARDI is confident that the outcomes from our 142 pilots will provide vital evidence to shape cardiovascular health policies that will positively impact millions in Europe. #EUHealth #CardiovascularHealth #JACARDI #EUCVHPlan

🇪🇺 JACARDI welcomes the Council's Conclusion on the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan CVD causes 1.7 million deaths in the EU each year and costs an estimated €282 billion annually; it needs no further explanation why we need strategic action to improve the continent's cardiovascular health. The European Union has today adopted Council Conclusions calling for more robust efforts to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease by proposing a series of measures aimed at prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation. It reinforces the dedication of the JACARDI consortium members that our project and the pilot actions in 19 EU countries have been planned, designed and launched in line with the guidelines of the CVH Plan. Here are some of the highlights of today's conclusions in line with the key objectives of JACARDI: ✅ Focus on early detection and screening ✅ Strengthen primary and secondary prevention and improve health literacy ✅ Optimise management and rehabilitation ✅ Address socio-economic determinants of health ✅ Advocate for innovative treatments  ✅ Use digital health tools for data integration and research We are particularly optimistic that the Council has invited Member States to adopt CVH measures that reflect the outcomes of Joint Actions, which provide evidence and best practices. This gives us a further incentive that our results will be anticipated, visible and sustainable. Professor Thomas F. Lüscher, President of the European Society of Cardiology, which currently acts as the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) Secretariat and is a member of the JACARDI Stakeholder Advisory Board, underlines the importance of today's conclusions and offers a hopeful perspective for the future of cardiovascular health. “This is important for the individuals and their families and friends. At the same time, it is important for society at large. The EU Cardiovascular Health plan will play an essential part in improving lives and health outcomes for citizens allowing them to actively take part in, and contribute to, society.” Read the Press Release from EACH here:  https://lnkd.in/eQQYFUZA Read the Council Conclusions here: https://lnkd.in/ew79yBnP