The Slovak Coalition of People with Obesity and Overweight (SKLON) is at the forefront of raising awareness about obesity as a chronic disease, focusing on its prevention and treatment options. Collaborating with various organizations, including the Association for the Protection of Patients’ Rights (AOPP), SKLON aims to improve public health in Slovakia. This year, they proudly became members of the European Liver Patient Association (ELPA), enhancing their ability to support patients affected by obesity-related liver issues.
SKLON is also involved in the Health Mission 2024-2030 project, an innovative initiative designed to develop public health policies through interdepartmental cooperation. This mission focuses on addressing three main health diagnoses: oncology, cardiology, and neurology, while also emphasizing children’s health. A wide range of stakeholders, including patient organizations, healthcare professionals, and academic institutions, are actively engaged in formulating comprehensive solutions.
In August, SKLON showcased its initiatives at the Summer University for Seniors, held at the historic Primarcial Palace in Bratislava. The organization also participated in a Lecture Afternoon, where Dr. Hana Vrabcová spoke on lifestyle medicine and obesity prevention, incorporating discussions on sugar content in foods.
On October 10-11, SKLON took part in the 45th Annual Conference of the Slovak Society of General Practitioners (SSVPL). The conference featured workshops on educational diagnostics and counseling for patients with pre-obesity and obesity. Mrs. Hana Vrabcová presented a new standard preventive procedure for managing overweight and obesity, which will be effective starting November 15, 2023. This procedure, along with another addressing risk factors for non-communicable diseases, was published on the Ministry of Health’s website.
The conference also highlighted the new EASO Taxonomy of Obesity and the book Mama, What Is Obesity?, which was presented at ECO2024 in Venice. Furthermore, SKLON introduced its BAZIS Project—“Supporting Proper Nutrition and Physical Activity for Healthy Aging”—aimed at seniors and funded by the Municipality of Bratislava. The project consists of five group workshops to promote healthy living among older adults.
Additionally, SKLON premiered a redesigned educational video titled How to Beat Obesity, which received positive feedback from healthcare professionals. They also shared translated infographics summarizing key lectures from the ECPOAcademy 2023 in Budapest, now available on their website.
In recognition of their efforts, SKLON expressed gratitude to MVDr. Jane Trautenberg-Rico, director of the National Oncology Institute, for her support and attendance at their workshops. As October is designated as the “Month of Respect for the Elderly” in Slovakia, SKLON is hosting lectures on lifestyle medicine and obesity prevention.
In other exciting news, Hana Vrabcová was nominated for the prestigious Pharmacist of the Year award. Public voting is open at www.lekárnikroka.sk, and everyone is encouraged to participate.
For more information about SKLON and their ongoing activities, please visit www.sklon.sk.