The Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL) took part in the final meeting of the Health4EUkids project, held on November 10 and 11 in Helsinki (Finland). This initiative, developed as a Joint Action under the EU4Health programme and supported by the European Commission, brought together representatives from a dozen European countries to share progress and consolidate effective strategies for promoting child and family health.
The Spanish representation in the consortium includes IDIVAL, which contributes to the project through its Health Economics Research Group, the Clinical and Translational Research Group in Digestive Diseases, and the Pediatrics Department of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital.
The Health4EUkids project focuses on designing and implementing public policies aimed at improving the health of children and families by promoting physical activity, balanced nutrition, and the prevention of childhood obesity. It also pays special attention to the most vulnerable groups, addressing social and emotional factors, and fostering active community engagement to create healthier environments.
During the meeting, international partners presented the results of local pilot initiatives carried out in each country, reviewed the final deliverables, and aligned their conclusions. In Spain’s case, IDIVAL led an initiative in Torrelavega based on the international GRÜNAU MOVES model, a community intervention approach recognized for its comprehensive strategy to promote healthy lifestyles. Following this methodology, several actions were deployed in Torrelavega to encourage healthy habits among children and their families.
In addition to marking the closure of the project, the meeting served as a forum for exchanging knowledge, lessons learned, and best practices, strengthening collaboration among partners and generating new opportunities for future joint initiatives.
The international consortium is made up of institutions from Spain, Greece, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, and Slovenia. Alongside IDIVAL, the Spanish participation includes the Fisabio Foundation – Directorate General of Public Health and Addictions, the Balearic Islands Health Research Institute (IDISBA), the Andalusian Health Service (SAS), the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), the Andalusian School of Public Health (EASP), the Department of Public Health and Addictions of the Basque Government (DSP), and the Galician Health Department (CSG).
