Pre-conference: Public health and primary health care - success stories from Slovenia

Wednesday 28 November, 12:30 - 17:00

Organised by:

Organised and funded by Ministry of Health, Slovenia

In this pre-conference, key Slovenian experts will present successful programmes that were, wholly  or partly, developed and implemented in Slovenia. Some of these are international programmes but  were adapted to local circumstances and implemented effectively by applying innovative approaches. The organisers are convinced that these presentations and discussion with responsible key professionals will provide delegates with a good insight in the challenges that came with the development and implementation of the individual programmes.

Programme

Intense cooperation of the Ministry of Health with other ministries and excellent collaboration with NGOs play an important role in establishing the circumstances in society which are of utmost importance for improvement of health of the population.

Presentation by Mojca Gobec, Director General of Public health directorate, Ministry of Health of Slovenia

Slovenia has very advanced and restrictive legislation which support the activities to reduce tobacco use. New legislation on tobacco control adopted in 2017 includes total ban on all tobacco and related products advertising, promotion and sponsorship, including a display ban on tobacco and related products at points of sale; the implementation of licencing for retailers of tobacco and related products and ban on selling to minors and using e-cigarettes and other tobacco related products in enclosed public places and workplaces. The new act also made plain packing mandatory as of 2020 and banned smoking in all vehicles in the presence of minors. By adopting this Act, Slovenia joins the group of countries around the world leading the enforcement of plain packaging, begun by Australia in 2012.

Presentation by Vesna Kerstin Petrič, Head of the Department, Ministry of Health of Slovenia

Through an active approach which started by adoption of a comprehensive National Programme on Nutrition and Health enhancing Physical Activity Slovenia has been able to decrease the proportion of overweight children . The preparation of the National Programme has been guided by a life course approach with an aim to empower the individual and create conditions which will ensure the individual to pursue a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

Presentation by Marjeta Recek, Head of the Department, Ministry of Health of Slovenia

Slovenia has a long tradition in conduction of preventive programmes for different population groups in primary health settings. Recently important organisational changes which were accompanied by changes in content and approach were introduced with aim to address the most vulnerable groups. We would like to share the positive outcomes of these changes with the attendants.

Presentation by Rade Pribakovič, Head of the department, National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

Cancer is a major public health problem in the European Union AND IN Slovenia. Properly organized population-based screening programmes are highly effective in reducing mortality from breast, cervical and colorectal cancers, as well as the incidence of cervical and colorectal cancers. Slovenia has implemented population-based organized screening programmes with defined target population, screening interval, protocol of testing and follow up with comprehensive quality assurance for breast, colon and cervical cancer.   We have already demonstrated significant reductions of incidence and cancer-related mortality.

Organised population- based colorectal screening programme
Presentation by Dominika Novak Mlakar, Head of the department, National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

Organised population- based cervical screening programme
Presentation by Urška Ivanuš, Head of the programme, Institute of Oncology of Slovenia

Organised population- based breast screening programme
Presentation by Maksimiljan Kadivec, Head of the programme, Institute of Oncology of Slovenia

Registration fee
The registration fee is € 20 which includes networking lunch and refreshments.