The Institute of Health Research (IDIVAL) is coordinating Cantabria’s participation in the European Union Joint Action “JA Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases,” an initiative that brings together institutions from across Europe with the aim of reducing social inequalities in cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Within this framework, on October 20 and 21, the consortium meeting of partners in Work Package 7 (WP7) was held at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier (CHUM). This work package is specifically dedicated to tackling inequalities in the healthcare field. The group seeks to plan and implement pilot actions that address the mechanisms generating health inequities, promoting a fairer and more equitable approach to healthcare in Europe.
The meeting was chaired by Raffaella Bucciardini from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Italy and included the participation of Carlos Fernández Viadero, representing IDIVAL. All task and subtask leaders presented their progress and contributed to a constructive debate on the next stages of the project.
Also in attendance were the general coordinators of the Joint Action, Knut Inge Klepp, Linda Granlund, and Knut Jønsrud, who emphasized the importance of collaborative work and reaffirmed institutional support for the proper implementation of WP7 activities.
The first day focused on progress across the different tasks, with special attention to the Theory of Change, a methodological tool that guides the definition of expected outcomes and the monitoring of program impact. The day concluded with a visit to the historic Faculty of Medicine of Montpellier, which helped strengthen team cohesion.
The second day was devoted to reviewing the progress of pilot actions focused on monitoring health inequalities, health literacy, and vulnerable groups. Among these was the pilot study developed in Cantabria by IDIVAL and the Cantabrian Health Service (SCS), aimed at analyzing equity in access to smoking and alcohol cessation programs—two of the most prevalent risk factors in the development of chronic non-communicable diseases.
The collaborative atmosphere at CHUM fostered the exchange of ideas and reinforced ties among participants, consolidating the shared commitment to advancing toward a more equitable Europe in health. In the coming months, work will continue on the Cantabrian pilot study, with the first results expected to be presented at the next WP7 meeting scheduled for the end of February.
