The Lombardy region in Italy is doubling down on its commitment to health equity as it approaches the final leg of its “Regional Prevention Plan (PRP) 2021–2025”. As a member of the WHO Regions for Health Network, Lombardy has embraced a comprehensive approach to tackling health disparities, recognizing that effective prevention requires both behavioural change and systemic reform.

On 26 February, over 140 stakeholders from diverse sectors, including health authorities, schools, workplaces, community organizations and research institutions, came together to assess progress, exchange knowledge and chart the future of preventive strategies. Further events are upcoming.

Equity-driven actions in key areas

The PRP includes 10 nationally mandated programmes. To strengthen collaboration on preventive health-care strategies, innovative approaches were considered in fields such as, but not limited to, the following.

• Health-promoting workplaces. Workplace health promotion programmes will be tailored to address the needs of low-skilled workers. A plan is in place to collaborate with trade unions and industry associations to implement and adapt these programmes.
• Active communities. Efforts will be made to increase female participation in physical activity. Collaboration with family counseling centres (consultori familiari) will be explored to ensure a more inclusive approach to combating sedentary lifestyles.
• Support for caregivers. Recognizing the physical and emotional burden on caregivers, partnerships between public institutions and third-sector organizations will be strengthened. These collaborations have led to the creation of online portals offering health-care information, training resources and psychological support.
• Addiction prevention in prisons. Targeted interventions will be expanded to address substance use issues among incarcerated individuals with a focus on reducing the transmission of infectious diseases and minimizing relapse risks post-release. Stakeholder coordination will be improved to strengthen support systems during reintegration.
• Safety in living environments. A prevention strategy will be rolled out to reduce domestic accidents among individuals over 65 with a strong emphasis on community-based interventions. Pharmacies, community centres and digital platforms will be mobilized to improve information accessibility.
• Infectious disease surveillance. A comprehensive report will be developed to analyse infectious disease data through an equity lens, prioritizing high-incidence areas and utilizing epidemiological data streams.
• Maternal and child health. A research initiative is being launched in collaboration with academic institutions to redesign birth care services, ensuring inclusivity and reducing health disparities among socioeconomically disadvantaged pregnant women.

Next steps

With 2025 marking the final year of the PRP 2021–2025, efforts will now focus on evaluating progress, consolidating successful initiatives and shaping strategies for sustained impact beyond the current cycle. The commitment to equity remains central, ensuring that future public health policies in Lombardy continue to address disparities and promote inclusive health outcomes across all sectors.