Public health in Italy: a new commitment to promote breastfeeding
The second annual meeting of the "Baby-Friendly Community & Health Services" project, part of the European JA PreventNCD initiative, was recently held in Italy. The event brought together national and international experts to discuss common strategies aimed at improving maternal and child health through support for breastfeeding.
During the meeting, Julianne Williams and Kremlin Wickramasinghe, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the European Region, presented a detailed framework on monitoring breastfeeding practices. The main objective is to analyze current data to better understand how communities and health services can offer more effective support to families.
The project focuses on creating favorable environments, defined as "Baby-Friendly," where mothers can feel encouraged and assisted on their journey. The initiative emphasizes the importance of close collaboration between health institutions and the local community to prevent chronic non-communicable diseases, a central theme for European public health.
This meeting represents a significant step forward for Italy, which is committed to integrating international guidelines into its local health policies. The exchange between experts allows for the standardization of care practices, ensuring high standards of care throughout the national territory.
In conclusion, the focus on supporting breastfeeding remains a priority for health authorities. Thanks to the work carried out within the JA PreventNCD, Italy continues to strengthen its prevention system, aiming to improve the well-being of future generations through concrete, evidence-based actions.