“Health is not just a genetic code, but also a postal code.”
This sentence accurately reflects the approach to public health in Europe.
Our health is greatly influenced by the environment we live in every day – what products are available in stores, what meals look like in schools or hospitals, and whether the spaces around us support physical activity and healthy choices. The JA PreventNCD project is a joint European initiative aimed at strengthening the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. It brings together partners from across Europe to develop, test, and implement effective, evidence-based solutions at both national and local levels. A key focus of the project is creating environments that support healthier choices and contribute to reducing health inequalities, ultimately improving the quality of life of populations across Europe.
This is what was discussed during the First Stakeholders Meeting of JA PreventNCD in Poland, which took place online on March 11, 2026, and was organised by the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. It was a milestone event introducing the project to those who have the power to make real changes in the country and influence public health policies.
The meeting brought together representatives of public institutions, local governments, the scientific community, and organisations working in the field of public health.
The meeting was opened by Vice-Rector for Science at the Medical University of Silesia Professor Oskar Kowalski, MD, PhD and Katarzyna Brukało, PhD, Assoc. Prof. at the Medical University of Silesia and Project Coordinator in Poland.
Participants were also welcomed by the Project Partners in Poland – Mayor of the City of Zabrze, Kamil Żbikowski, representatives of the City of Rybnik and Anna Bulzacka-Bogucka, Project Advisor at HaDEA.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health, the National Health Fund, the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, local authorities, as well as schools, kindergartens, foundations, associations, scientific societies, and other institutions involved in public health initiatives.
The discussion focused on local and regional actions that, within the framework of the JA PreventNCD project, can have a real impact on residents’ health – such as monitoring the food environment, developing sustainable public food procurement, and creating health-promoting spaces, including through the development of green areas, bike paths, and smoke-free zones.
Public health is not achieved in isolation. To effectively prevent chronic diseases, it is necessary to build collaboration between science, public administration, local governments, and social organisations.
Engaging stakeholders is an essential part of this process. By bringing together representatives from various sectors, the meeting provided a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge, identifying shared challenges, and exploring opportunities for collaboration. It also marked an important step towards building a national network of partners who can actively contribute to shaping policies and actions that promote healthier lifestyles and environments in Poland.
The attendance and engagement of the participants was very encouraging and gives great hope for the future of this collaboration.
This was the first stakeholder meeting in the country, but certainly not the last.