Mission

CHILDREN_FIRST is a Mediterranean network of a multi-country child cohort infrastructure that will focus its resources and activities on the longitudinal assessment of key environmental (non-genetic) risk factors in association with the temporal evolution of respiratory, cardiometabolic or neurodevelopmental outcomes in primary school children populations in five Mediterranean countries (Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Albania and Israel). It was created in early 2022.

In response to escalating climate change impacts and persistent health disparities in the Mediterranean, the network unites five Mediterranean countries to showcase the resilience of a novel primary healthcare system. Utilizing school-based surveillance data and eHealth tools, the network promotes well-being and normal growth and development for all children, reinforcing universal health coverage to ensure no child is left behind.

The network establishes a transnational Health Promoting School (HPS) curriculum aligned with the WHO/UNICEF HPS initiative and related actions and policies, such as the EU Child Guarantee. This effort includes developing an eHealth digital platform with dashboard functionalities for all stakeholders and beneficiaries.

Through this initiative, the network aims to achieve best policy practices in the school health services system at a transnational level. This involves government policies and resources, school policies and resources, school governance and partnerships, school curriculum, social and physical environments in schools, and health services in schools. The societal impact is significant as this intervention promotes health and well-being, provides education through training schemes, and prevents disease by mobilizing all stakeholders within the school setting, both nationally and transnationally.

Key Outputs:

  • Enhanced Primary Healthcare Services in Schools
  • eHealth Platform
  • Personalized Health Reports
  • Training Workshops and Seminars
  • Transnational Health Observatory
  • Healthy School Curriculum Policy

Main Beneficiaries:

  • Participating children and their parents
  • The participating child’s family general practitioner
  • Primary healthcare authorities
  • Ministry and school authorities
  • Academia and researchers
  • Public and NGOs