The national organization for the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity HEPA Macedonia
(PIC987948008). Websites: https://www.hepa.org.mk
,
https://www.facebook.com/HEPA.Macedonia)
Background and experience
HEPA Macedonia National organization for the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity is medium size non-for-profit NGO (for public health). HEPA Macedonia is founded in 2005 in Macedonia, FYR, (at present North Macedonia), because there was a need for quick action to implement the WHO European “Health-Enhancing Physical Activity” strategy – the WHO HEPA Europe associated with the implementation of the WHO Resolution WHA 57.16 on ”Health Promotion and Healthy Lifestyle” (2003), the WHO Resolution WHA 57.17 on “Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health”(2004), the A/RES/58/5 on “Sport as a means to promote Education, Health, Development and Peace” and the EC “Tartu Call for Healthy Lifestyle” (2017).
The mission :
A core part of HEPA Macedonian’s mission is our commitment to supporting the creation, development and implementation of the WHO European Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) Strategy and Programme.
The aim:
From a national perspective, it is a priority to increase the population’s awareness with regard to the importance of physical activity for health, to initiate cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary approaches to developing the “National HEPA Network for the promotion of the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity”, to give a stronger voice to physical activity and healthy lifestyle promotion in health policy, and to support the implementation of national strategy and programme for physical activity in the Republic of North Macedonia.
The organisation's national, regional and local fields of interest are: Public health, Education, Consumer affairs, Food Safety, Information society (ICT); Research and technology; Sport, exercise and health.
Priority areas of work:
1. Research:
- Effects of applied programmed PA on children, youth, adult and elderly population;
- Efficacy of PA on reduction of diet-related risk factors for chronic diseases;
- Research in the area of public health:
- health promotion through PA and healthier nutrition;
- monitoring and evaluation of outcomes.
2. Health promotion in general:
- Healthy lifestyle;
- Skills for health
3. Promotion of physical activity and public health nutrition on population and individual levels, on national, regional and local levels in North Macedonia;
4. Teaching/ Advocacy on nutrition and physical activity, 2006 - 2009:
- Continuing doctoral education (CME) accredited by the Macedonian Medical Association, Faculty of Medicine and Doctor Chamber of Macedonia
- Training seminars, workshops and teaching courses
5. Mass-media campaigns: “Move for Health” and “Quit & Win”
6. Policy and strategy documents: Health strategy of Macedonia including PA Strategy/Programme.
7. Statute for the transformation of Sports medicine institutions countrywide
8. Strategy for decentralization of sport of Macedonia, legislation (Low for Sport)
9. Recommendations and guidelines, preparing a proposal for basic preventive medical service in the area of Sports Medicine, Nutrition and Dietetics
10. Collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Standing Committee for Healthcare System and Health Insurance Company improvement.
Level of Actions: National, regional, local and international
Target groups: Youth, adults, elderly, disability groups, physician’s education and the whole population
Infrastructure:
Unit for International Research Collaboration with the WHO and EU;
Unit for Physical Activity Promotion; Unit for Public Health Nutrition.
Networking: “WHO HEPA European network” - HEPA Promotion in Health Care Setting working group; World “Move for Health” network; Global Observatory for Physical Activity – GoPA/ISPAH; “Action on Ageing and Physical Activity” – EUNAAPA; WHO “Quit & Win” - Programme for smoking cessation - “Tobacco - Free Sport”; World Heart Day - World Heart Federation (WHF); EU COST Networks: DE-PASS, and PhysAgeNet - CA20104 - https://physagenet.eu; https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA20104/#tabs+Name:Management%20Committee, EU Thematic Network of Dietetics - “DIETS2”; West Balkan Research Directory; Macedonian Medical Association (MMS).