The Fondazione Johnson & Johnson and the Fondazione Mondo Digitale presented the second edition of “Health4U” that aims to orient 2000 Italian students on studies and careers in clinical and biomedical fields. Live feeds with doctors and nurses from hospitals and surgical theatres will allow students to learn more about professions in this sector, understand surgical procedures and learn about the many applications of technology in medicine.
The objective of Health4U, an educational and orientation programme, is to promote rigorous information on health and entice students to embark on university studies and careers in this sector. Health4U is promoted by the Fondazione Johnson & Johnson, with a focus no health, wellbeing and life sciences.
Health4U was conceived in 2017 with the global Johnson & Johnson “Bridge to Employment” initiative to inspire young men and women to continue their studies and lay the foundations for their future. Last year, in collaboration with the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, the first edition of the digital programme involved 1400 young men and women embarking on university studies and careers in Italy through a series of meetings with 26 health professionals. The second edition will aim to involve no less than 2000 students in Italian second-degree secondary schools in live webinars, as well as to reach a further 20,000 individuals indirectly through schools.
During the pandemic, the importance of raising the awareness of society on the importance of correct health information became evident. With Health4U, the Fondazione Johnson & Johnson and the Fondazione Mondo Digitale have decided to address the younger generations to make them drive this change. Participants will be involved in a 17-module cycle of on-line webinars addressing two main areas: university and professional orientation in clinical and biomedical areas and specific webinars focusing on health prevention and promotion.
The Johnson & Johnson Group and other project partners (Anlaids, Susan G. Komen Italia Onlus, Villa Maraini Onlus, Croce Rossa Italiana, Un respiro per la vita Onlus, Never Give Up Onlus, Rome Campus Bio-Medico University, Centro Integrato di Senologia-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS) will address a wide range of issues, including epidemics, vaccines, preventing habits and digital transformation of the health sector.
The second edition of the project was presented yesterday, Oct. 21, on Zoom. The event opened with a welcome address by Massimo Scaccabarozzi, President of the Fondazione Johnson & Johnson, Mirta Michilli, Director General of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, and Paola Testori Coggi, Special Advisor to the Vita ALISEI National Technological Cluster, Chair T20 Task Force Global Health and Covid-19, and Former Director General Health and Consumers of the European Commission. This was followed by the presentation of the Health4U programme and its objectives by Barbara Saba, Director General of the Fondazione Johnson & Johnson. The live stream ended with a first panel of experts from our project partners.
“Notwithstanding the fact that the pandemic severely tried our daily lives and stressed our national health system, it also taught us a lot. First of all, it gave us a renewed perception of the value of health. This new awareness can give us the strength to recover, transforming the emergency into an opportunity to lay the foundations for the health of the future. However, in order to do this, we must invest in people and especially in youth and education as a driver of growth,” points out Massimo Scaccabarozzi, President of the Fondazione Johnson & Johnson Italia and Janssen Italia. “So, we are happy to launch this new edition of Health4U, to accompany thousands of students to discover a sector that is continuously changing and professions that mean life!”
“The world of health is continuously evolving, and new challenges continue to arise to guarantee sustainability, access, equality and the management of emergencies. The T20 Global Health and Covid-19 Taskforce has identified the priorities to pursue in health systems, the One Health Strategy, digital healthcare and prevention. Moreover, youth are addressed by the new chapter on healthcare and global health. I believe that this programme can help orient them and understand the world of health and its professions,” explains Paola Testori Coggi.
“The launch of a new edition of Health4U makes us proud. The success of the first edition was extremely satisfying. We believe that educating and informing youth on the importance and opportunities provided by the health sector at this time of innovation and transformation is fundamental to build the future of healthcare in our country,” points out Barbara Saba.
“The health emergency made us understand how urgent it is for young doctors to develop multidisciplinary abilities to address increasingly complex health challenges. We are now helping schools to understand and teach the digital transformation of the health sector so that young men and women may become the protagonists of this change. With Health4U we are beginning to develop a One Health Digital healthcare system,” explains Mirta Michilli.
The course, which is based on bimonthly meetings, began yesterday and will involve students through June 2022.
