healthy schools — Healthy schools are pivotal in enhancing children’s well-being, a key takeaway from the 11th Pancyprian Public Health Conference, which concluded on Wednesday. The two-day conference, hosted by the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health at the Cyprus University of Technology, brought together experts under the aegis of President Nikos Christodoulides.
Discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration between educational and health institutions to safeguard children’s health and promote their psychosocial development. On the second day, experts underscored the role of human biomonitoring in protecting children from harmful chemicals commonly found in food, water, and personal care products.
Systematic monitoring of health and environmental indicators during crucial developmental stages is necessary for timely identification of risks that could hinder child growth. The conference proposed the establishment of “school community observatories,” which aim to complement existing school health services and tackle health inequalities.
Recent epidemiological studies presented at the event revealed that reducing screen and social media time in early childhood significantly fosters cognitive development. Furthermore, the adoption of healthy habits during adolescence emerged as a vital component in lowering the risk of cancer and premature mortality.
Addressing risk factors such as childhood obesity was also deemed essential for preventing fatty liver disease, which is becoming increasingly prevalent among children. Experts noted that cross-sectoral coordination of school health education programmes can enhance children’s resilience against environmental risks.
Efforts to upgrade schoolyards, alongside their joint management by schools, municipalities, and communities, were highlighted as promising initiatives. These efforts support environmental education and aim to revitalise urban areas that currently lack green spaces.
