The Importance of intersectoral collaboration on population health

Abstract

INtroduction. In recent years, the European Commission (EC) documents have included discussions on political actions for the implementation of physical activity promotion policies at the national and EU level. The aim is to draw attention to the necessity of developing a long-term strategic intersectoral approach involving policy areas including sport, health, education, environment and transport for making a proper solution to the existing problems. Objective: To theoretically justify the national guidelines for health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA), according to the EC regulations and operational priorities, as well as to the reports of the research on physical activity in the Lithuanian population. Methods: document analysis (official EC documents), meta-analysis of research. Intersectoral collaboration for population health. Having analyzed the official EC dokuments: White Paper on Sport, White Paper-Together for Health, White Paper - A Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity related health issues, COM, The EU Physical Activity Guidelines, The European Commission's Communication on Developing the European Dimension in Sport, and the Council Recommendation on promoting health-enhancing physical activity across sectors, it can be stated that according to the directives of the aforementioned documents, the governments of EU member states will have to take some political actions to implement the intersectoral collaboration for public welfare by consistently changing policies and practices of various areas. "Intersectoral collaboration is necessary in order to perform this role. Article 152 of the EC Treaty notes that "a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities". [...].