Boost to Community Health in Marina Alta

The Dénia Health Department has actively collaborated with the local councils of the Marina Alta region to develop a series of workshops and programmes aimed at promoting health among the local population.

These initiatives aim to improve the quality of life for residents through various actions ranging from support for caregivers to promoting physical activity and preventing harmful habits.

To provide training and tools to those who care for others, workshops called "Cuidem i ens Cuidem" have been implemented, taking place in the 11 basic health zones of Marina Alta.

"En moviment" is another programme being developed in the municipalities of Benissa, Calp, Dénia, El Verger, Gata de Gorgos, Ondara, Orba, Pego, Pedreguer, Teulada, and Xàbia.

These include functional training sessions, dance, and nutrition talks, all designed to improve physical capacity, flexibility, coordination, and promote healthy habits among the population. Similarly, in Dénia and Calp, "Camina" has emerged, organising outdoor walks guided by health technicians and professionals.

The Dénia Health Department has also implemented smoking cessation programmes in the municipalities of Xàbia, Gata de Gorgos, El Verger, Els Poblets, and Ondara. These initiatives raise awareness about the health dangers of smoking while providing support and resources to those wishing to quit.

In primary education, health professionals are teaching children in schools in Ondara, Dénia, El Verger, Calp, Benissa, Gata de Gorgos, Pedreguer, and Xàbia the five steps of handwashing to prevent disease transmission.

The Dénia Health Department thus reaffirms its commitment to promoting health in the Marina Alta region through these collaborations with local councils. The aim is to implement programmes and workshops that address the specific needs of the population to foster well-being and prevention. Active community participation and institutional support are fundamental pillars for the success of these initiatives.

It is worth noting that the Ministry of Health, through the Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of the Valencian Community (Fisabio) and the General Directorate of Public Health, has initiated the transfer of the Health Promotion Centres model—developed by the National Institute of Public Health of Slovenia (NIJZ)—to nine pilot health centres in the Valencian Community, including Benissa.

CIRCE Joint Action belongs to a particular group of European projects, the Joint Actions, which aim to transfer and apply the knowledge generated by health research. The goal is to address common challenges among member states through the harmonisation of strategies, the exchange of good practices, and capacity building. The actions are co-financed by the European Union with contributions from the recipient entities, in this case, Fisabio.