On 18 and 20 March 2026, the second online meeting with the affiliated entities within the framework of JA PreventNCD took place in Greece to discuss progress to date.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Health, public institutions working in the field of public health, and members of the scientific and academic community.
The main topics of discussion were Greece’s participation in the Joint Action work packages, as well as recent developments in the field of prevention and in addressing social inequalities, both of which are closely linked to JA PreventNCD.
Among the examples highlighted was the “Artemis” Programme, which aims to help adolescents develop healthy habits that will benefit them both now and in the future. The programme includes informative actions on healthy eating, the strengthening of daily physical activity, the prevention of smoking and vaping, and limiting alcohol consumption. It also involves the creation of relevant educational material with the participation of students.
The meeting also highlighted the participation of many health structures in the pilot implementation for the creation of Health Structures and Communities Friendly to Infants and Breastfeeding. These structures provide information and continuous support to breastfeeding women and their families, while also offering prenatal and postnatal courses. They are interconnected with secondary and tertiary health structures and implement actions at community level. In addition, they adopt a Written Breastfeeding Policy, committing themselves to the implementation of good practices in support of the health of both mother and infant. This written policy is displayed in a visible place within the structures.
A key priority linked to Greece’s participation in JA PreventNCD is the commitment to addressing health inequalities. For this reason, there is a strong focus on health literacy, with the aim of enabling every citizen not only to understand basic information about their health, but also to use this knowledge to improve it and develop essential skills.
Alongside this, prevention programmes such as “PROLAMVANO”, initiatives against childhood obesity, and mental health programmes are being advanced to help ensure that no child and no family is left behind.