A new Greece-Italy alliance is taking decisive action to protect the health of young people across the Adriatic. SHIELD project is starting with a clear mission: to address obesity and metabolic diseases through innovation, education and cross-border cooperation.
The launch event at the Polyclinic of Bari gathered partners from both countries alongside representatives of the Interreg Programme. The shared message resonated strongly: cooperation is essential to shift from treatment to prevention and to build more resilient Mediterranean communities.
SHIELD tries to reduce the growing impact of chronic conditions such as diabetes, fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome through three key actions that blend digital innovation with health education. A new online platform connects family doctors, specialists and health professionals with families, simplifying the management of complex cases and guiding healthier lifestyle choices. SHIELD Edugame transforms the principles of the Mediterranean diet into an engaging, interactive experience for younger generations. At the same time, a transnational awareness campaign targets high schools, universities and young adults, raising attention on emerging issues such as metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease.
The scientific urgency behind SHIELD’s mission is reinforced by research led by Professor Antonio Moschetta, Full Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Bari. As discussed in a previous article, his work shows how poor diet and excess weight can silently evolve into severe liver and cardiovascular diseases later in life.
Over the next two years, the SHIELD partnership, including the University and University Hospital of Ioannina, the General Hospital of Corfu, the Local Health Authority of Matera and the Social Welfare Centre of Epirus, coordinated by the Polyclinic of Bari, will work together to strengthen prevention from school age, expand access to early diagnosis and develop innovative digital tools for monitoring and screening.
By the end of the project, Italy and Greece aim to shape a shared Mediterranean model of prevention: one that empowers communities, strengthens public health systems and protects future generations.
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