Innovation and health: six months into the ‘Vivere la Salute in Val di Sole’ project
The first six months of the “Vivere la Salute in Val di Sole” initiative, promoted by the Autonomous Province of Trento and launched at the beginning of 2024 as part of the Area Interna project, have come to a satisfying close, offering a significant opportunity to promote the development of a model of health care that is closer to the citizen. Through the use of new technologies and thanks to cognitive opportunities and discussions with residents, the ambitious goal of actively promoting healthy lifestyles has been pursued, also thanks to the use of the TreC+ app, a digital portal to manage one’s own health, and Salute+, a tool to activate a virtuous and healthy circle in the local area, for the benefit of the whole community.
MMartina Dell’Eva, Renato Carolli and Sergio Zanella, the three project managers of TrentinoSalute4.0 (i.e., the three professionals responsible for implementing the “Living Health in Val di Sole” project) have organized to offer free information points in the area to support citizens, patients and associations to make the best use of these tools and to collaborate in creating health promotion activities with communities. Specifically, since January, three information points have been set up where users can obtain information and download the Apps. Given the constant influx of people interested in learning more about the use of the apps, the helpdesks will remain open throughout the summer in Malè every Monday at the Comunità di Valle (ground floor, Via della Gana, 10 – with hours 9:30-11:30 a.m.) and in Pellizzano every Saturday (polyclinic in Via Baschenis – hours 09:30-11:30 a.m.), while in Vermiglio the service has been suspended. In the first six months of the year, about 120 citizens went to the helpdesks, while about a hundred were introduced to the use of TreC+ and Salute+ through information sessions organized with the Seniors Clubs and the University of the Third Age active in Val di Sole.
In parallel, TrentinoSalute4.0 PMs have been working to expand the content of the Salute+ App, which allows people to “take care” of their well-being, acting especially on risk factors that can be worked on, with particular reference to healthy eating and physical activity.
“Salute+ is a virtual tool to also involve and promote the groups and associations active in the area”- explained Martina, Renato and Sergio. “Together with the associations in the area, we have been active in proposing trails and walks included in the App, which encourage physical activity, provide important information on how to stay healthy, and allow residents and visitors to discover lesser-known areas of the Valley through “treasure hunts”, with the use of geocaching. Each time users participate in one of the programs, or complete one of the health goals they have chosen to pursue, one earns “social” points that can then be donated. How? Within the App are listed initiatives, proposed by cooperatives and associations, that are inclusive, or involve physical activity and promote healthy lifestyles. Upon reaching at least 10,000 points, the proposing entities will be able to apply for a financial contribution from the Province to activate the project.”
In the App there are already two initiatives of Val di Sole to which you can donate your “social” points. The first initiative is dedicated to people with disabilities, to make a short film in which to promote objectives related to well-being , the second concerns a project for the creation of a shared garden between kindergarten children and the elderly. “However, other initiatives are already in the pipeline that will be added in the coming months”-the PMs explain. “Some merchants in the area have also made themselves available to offer discounts to users of the App.”
Two important novelties: the new version of Salute+ was released at the beginning of July. Compared to the previous one, the App has a totally revised graphic design, which was worked on by the students of the Pavonian Institute of the Artisans of Trent. The second: in the coming months, Salute+ will be enriched with new content and new health challenges. In fact, associations proposing initiatives will be able to create competitions between users or groups of users and families participating in treasure hunts (the health trails).
Finally, in synergy with the new family and community nurse Maria Brentari from the Trento Province Healthcare System, a fruitful collaboration has been launched for primary prevention and health promotion, particularly to help chronic patients and their families in the management and monitoring of their condition.
