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“Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles, Work Ability & Social Inclusion”
International conference in St. Petersburg
The overall aim of the Conference on 11-12 December 2007 is to inspire relevant administrations to develop effective strategies against non-communicable diseases related to unhealthy lifestyles of populations in the North-West Russia and the Baltic Sea Region. Participants will be able to discuss the results of different methods used and bring home ideas for new action, or as input for the development of own national strategies. The event which takes place at the Consulate-General of Finland in St. Petersburg is organised within the frames of the Finnish Presidency at the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2007.
So far, the challenge of chronic non-communicable diseases seems overwhelming in the North-West Russia. Yet, about 80 percent of the problem can be captured by only 5 words: alcohol, tobacco, diet, accidents and violence. The solutions to tackle these issues could be: a) healthy public policies and legislation which must be enforced and b) healthy individual choices, which anyone in principle can make.
The conference should be contributing to a closer cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region, and to support the cooperation within the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being (NDPHS). The event will be opened by the Finnish Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation and by the representatives of the Government of St. Petersburg. The forum brings together decision makers and experts in public health responsible of decisions aiming at improved health of population and solving the demographic crisis caused by over-mortality and low fertility.
The outcome of the conference is expected to be a call to action declaration, focusing especially at regional level. North-Western Russia could become the pioneer region in Russia to break the ice of the epidemic of non-communicable diseases and injuries in Russia. Thus it forms part of the implementation of the European Strategy for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases endorsed by all 53 Member States of WHO European Region in September 2006.
The conference is launching the project on Social Inclusion, Healthy lifestyles and Work Ability which will be dealing with crucial areas of healthy life promotion in the North-West Russia, namely prevention of alcohol and drug abuse among younger generation in St. Petersburg. The project is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of Finland.
11.12.07 |
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