Spouse of the President Sanja Musić Milanović Presented the Croatian Programme Promoting Health “Healthy Living” to Healthcare Professionals in Tbilisi
Accompanying the President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović during an official visit to Georgia is the spouse of the President, Prof. Sanja Musić Milanović. During her official stay in Tbilisi, Prof. Sanja Musić Milanović delivered a lecture to her colleagues experts at the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, in the scope of which she talked about promoting a healthy lifestyle and preventing obesity as one of the key public health challenges of the present day.
In her presentation, Prof. Musić Milanović pointed out that Europe, as well as the global environment, is facing a continuous increase in excess body weight and obesity in all age groups, with particularly worrying trends in childhood obesity. Emphasizing that obesity is not solely the result of individual choices, but rather a consequence of complex social and environmental factors and broader determinants of health, she underlined the need for a long-term, systematic and scientifically based approach to health promotion and obesity prevention, focused on an entire lifespan.
As an example of a comprehensive and multisectoral approach to health promotion, she presented the National Health Promotion Programme “Healthy Living”, of which she is also the leader. She explained to the participants that the Programme is aimed at the general population and all age groups, and is implemented through a series of activities that include informing, educating and raising awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, as well as creating accessible and stimulating environments that facilitate the adoption of healthy habits from an early age.
She particularly highlighted the importance of multisectoral and interdepartmental cooperation in the implementation of the “Healthy Living” programme, emphasizing that successful implementation requires joint action by the health system, education system, local communities, civil society and other relevant stakeholders.
During her lecture, Prof. Musić Milanović also underlined the importance of preventing obesity in children from an early age, pointing out the need for innovative initiatives and new solutions in the field of obesity prevention and treatment. In this context, she also emphasized the importance of international cooperation in dealing with this increasing global problem.
She particularly stressed the Zagreb Declaration, adopted at the Summit of Spouses of European Leaders held in May 2023 in Zagreb, which represents a basis for joint action in the field of obesity prevention in children at the level of the European Region of the World Health Organization. She stated that the goal of the Declaration is to strengthen political commitment and joint efforts of countries to create healthier environments for children and youth.
In conclusion, she underlined that obesity represents a global public health challenge that requires long-term, comprehensive and coordinated action at a multisectoral and international level. She emphasized the importance of exchanging knowledge and experiences, and strengthening international cooperation, as a key element for developing effective policies and examples of good practice in the field of childhood obesity prevention and improving and preserving human health.
During the officiant visit to Georgia the spouse of the President Prof. Sanja Musić Milanović visited the Georgian National Museum in the company of the Spouse of the Georgian President Tamar Bagrationi.
