This Country Exchange Visit, jointly hosted by EuroHealthNet and the National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia, will take place in Ljubljana on 4-6 July 2016, under the topic “Cross-sector collaboration for healthy and active ageing in Slovenia”. The visit ties in with the WHO Summer School on advocacy and translation of evidence for different audiences on intersectoral action for health equity and well-being on 6-7 July 2016.

Cross-sector collaboration for healthy and active ageing in Slovenia

Maintaining a healthy and active ageing population is one of the main challenges for European societies. The budget constraints and demographic changes require a more efficient use of resources and integrated policies. The aim is to simplify and better target the needs of older populations, to enable people to live healthy lives and to use their full potential in social and economic life. Better and stronger coordination between actors from the public health and social sectors, their joint responses and actions are part of the solution. The team working in the AHA.SI project in Slovenia has developed coordination mechanisms between nongovernmental, public and private organizations working on health and social issues.

The EU policy focus has provided an opportunity for our Slovenian members to strengthen integrated strategies and actions for active and healthy ageing. The strategic objectives of the EU2020 Strategy, the EU Semester process and the Social Investment Package were used to develop measures for active and healthy ageing and to contribute to reduce inequities among older people. The AHA.SI project involved the Ministry of Employment, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (MLFSA) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Slovenia. A large number of stakeholders have participated and provided input, while the overall awareness on demographic change has increased.

The AHA.SI project focused on the following priorities: on prolonged employment and delayed retirement, tools promoting and supporting active and healthy ageing in all population groups and long-term care, integrating social and health services at local level.

The study visit will provide you with the opportunity of understanding the opportunities and challenges experienced by our colleagues from the National Institute of Health in Slovenia. It will enable meetings with social sector organisations and representatives of the two relevant ministries (MLFSA, MoH). More in-depth discussions will be held on long-term care, reducing inequalities, prolonged employment and postponed retirement, empowerment of older people and quality of life.

The study visit will be followed by the WHO Europe ‘Summer school on advocacy and translation of evidence for different audiences on intersectoral action for health equity and well-being’ (6 – 7 July 2016).

Join the study visit in Ljubljana on 4-6 July and share your experiences with our Slovenian colleagues!

Find the report of the visit here.

About EuroHealthNet Country Exchange Visits

EuroHealthNet Country Exchange Visits are members-only events that are open to senior delegates. The aim is two-fold, namely (1) to exchange good practices and policies on selected core themes and showcase members’ work to a selection of senior European colleagues and, at the same time, (2) discuss how related EU policy processes may support health equity at national, regional and local levels.

EuroHealthNet study visit are supported by the European Commission, through the Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI 2014-2020)