The First One Thousand Days of Life, Prevention and Health Literacy – as the Basis of Health and Wellbeing
Rome, 6th October, 2015
Speaking from the Auditorium of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sergio Pecorelli, President of the Giovanni Lorenzini Foundation, spoke about the Foundation’s new direction and focus. “Prevention saves lives and prevents the waste of important economic resources.
Non-communicable diseases in Italy are in fact responsible for 9 out of 10 deaths, representing 80% of our healthcare spending.” He continued, “All are diseases that can be reduced by adopting very healthy lifestyles. Over the next three years we will be engaged in a project that will begin with the drafting of a position paper by a panel of experts. We want to identify a set of practical and achievable proposals to promote prevention as a way of life.”
A document describing the initiative will be developed together with the Ministries of Health and Education, as well as an international representation of clinicians and researchers, governmental institutions and representatives from the world of labor, agriculture, business, sports, and media – with the objective to reach all corners of society. The new initiative will see parents benefit greatly from the knowledge and dissemination of this important message. Dr. Alberto Giovanni Ugazio, Director of the Department of Medicine, Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù in Rome and President of the Lorenzini Scientific Advisory Committee talked specifically about “The first thousand days of life” and how critical it is to know how best to optimize this period to achieve the maximum benefits for the future well-being of the individual.
Mounting evidence for the preventive approach points to the importance of establishing preventive measures that must cover the entire span of our lives: from conception to old age. “…the Lorenzini Foundation’s initiative will create an important role for schools and universities. Here we are forming future citizens and leaders of the country” explained Prof. Stefano Paleari, former rector of the University of Bergamo, and Lorenzini Board member. He stressed the importance of providing and promoting the correct information on sensitive issues such as those which impact well-being. “The focus on innovation…will become a key aspect for the country.” “With great pleasure, we decided to collaborate on this project,” added Dr. Ranieri Guerra, Director General of Health Prevention of the Ministry of Health and Lorenzini Board member. He concluded by emphasizing that to ensure sustainability in our national health system, “we must encourage all citizens (to lead) healthy lifestyles, adherence to preventive examinations and vaccinations. Educating the entire population in Health Literacy is an important investment in the future of the entire country. “