From left: Dr. Rūta Maceinaitė Žandarė, Prof. Algirdas Utkus, Dr. Rita Sketerkienė, Francesca Racioppi (PSO Europos aplinkos ir sveikatos centro atstovė), doctoral student Justina Račaitė, Prof. Rimantas Stukas, Dr. Donatas Austys. Photo: VU MF
On 30 March 2022, the Department of Public Health at the Institute of Health Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine held the fifth international scientific-practical Conference: “Healthier Environment – Healthier Children”, aimed at public health professionals. This year, the department commemorated its 100th anniversary. Together with representation from the World Health Organization in Lithuania, the Ministry of Health and the Centre for Health Education and Disease Prevention, the conference brought together more than 700 participants from across Lithuania. The conference was held remotely, and participants could listen to presentations, submit questions and interact with each other.
Continuing the implementation of the commitments of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the declarations of the 6th Ministerial Conference on the Environment and Health of the European Region within the World Health Organization, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the 5th Ministerial Conference on Transport, the Environment and Health of the European Region, also part the World Health Organization, it is necessary to find the best solutions to ensure an improvement in the lives of children, their learning and their recreation environment. Furthermore, it is necessary to share good practice on how the environment contributes to the well-being of children.
Francesca Racioppi, Head of the World Health Organization European Centre for Environment and Health made the keynote presentation at the conference. Looking at the environmental and health challenges in Europe, Racioppi stressed we should not forget that more than 20% of deaths in the world are associated with environmental factors: air pollution, risks posed by climate change, chemicals in the environment, noise, etc. We need to understand and take steps to allow the most vulnerable groups (including children) to live, learn and enjoy their leisure time in a safe and health-enhancing environment.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rita Sketerskienė from the Department of Public Health at the Institute of Health Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine, spoke about the role of a public health specialist in creating a healthier environment. She not only highlighted the training of preventive medical specialists by the Faculty of Medicine at Vilnius University, but also invited discussion on the wider activities of public health specialists in the field of environmental health.
The conference was also attended by representatives from the Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences from Vilnius University and the Faculty of Health Sciences and European Environment and Health Youth Coalition from Klaipėda University. The participants also included the researchers and practitioners from the State Service for Protected Areas under the Ministry for the Environment, the National Public Health Centre under the Health Ministry, the National Public Health Laboratory, the municipal enterprise Susisiekimo Palaugos, and the wider education sector.
The programme of the conference and the presentation slides are available HERE.