The last 2nd April 2020, due to the Covid-19 emergency in progress, took place the meeting among the YOUNG50 partners via videoconference replacing the PCC/PEC meeting that was scheduled to be held in Bilbao.

In addition to the project partners (Az. ULSS6 Euganea, Centro Poliklin, KRONIKGUNE, ProMIS, AER PUR ROMANIA, MOHLUX, Regions Campania and Calabria), the meeting was also attended by the University of Venice Cà Foscari – as external evaluator – and the project coordinator of the European EUPAP project – il quality of key stakeholder for YOUNG50.

Firstly, the attention was placed on the health emergency that is involving the whole world and on how, in the space of a month, the COVID-19 epidemic revolutionized lifestyles, while daily activities have been becoming increasingly digitalised for the entire population.

Certainly, the general situation has also affected YOUNG50’s planned activities such as, for example, the implementation of the CARDIO50 screening model in the YOUNG50 implementing countries, which was scheduled to take place at the start of May. In this light, the Coordinating team has been exploring the possibility of digitalising the YOUNG50 screening programme to a greater or lesser extent. This consideration comes partly in the light of the above factors but is also because once lockdown in the beneficiaries’ countries is lifted and life starts getting back to “normal”, priority will probably have to be given to competing services at the healthcare facilities where the screening programmes are to be implemented. In addition, it is not yet known when current social distancing practices can be eased. At the moment the situation is very fluid and it is extremely difficult to make definite plans at any level.

Three alternatives have therefore been proposed:

  • delay implementation of the screening programme, setting a new date in, say, six months or one year’s time, and then restart following the current project format

  • stop and re-start implementation, adopting a digital solution for the screening and follow-up visits, health assistant training and provision of information and training

  • a combination of the two

In all three case scenarios, the application for an extension is inevitable.

The majority of those present tentatively agree to considering a 12-month extension in view of the problems that to be solved, irrespective of the scenario selected. On behalf of the whole partnership, an official request will then be sent to CHAFEA (Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency).

With regard to the updating of the activities carried out so far within the YOUNG50 project:

  • SWOT analysis was realised SWOT and used as a means to analyse context analysis and define strategic priorities in each pilot site

  • Local prevention programs have been defined and adapted to each pilot site and action plans have been outlined to determine the activities required to achieve effective implementation

  • Preparation of implementation has provided a clear vision of the situation in each implementation site, as well as the feasibility, needs and actions to be taken in order to implement this good practice

  • The development of the APP is almost ready to start. It will be developed for 2 groups addressed to two different types of citizen/user. Group 1 is addressed to citizens/users residing in the catchment area of local health authority ULSS 6 Euganea. Group 2 includes 50-year-old citizens/users residing in the catchment area of ULSS6 Euganea, who are involved in the project’s screening activities

  • The preparation phase for the transfer and implementation of the CARDIO50 model and to set up local governance structures for implementation has started with the help of local key stakeholders

  • First draft of both the First Communication and Dissemination report of the project and the Second Newsletter of the YOUNG50 project