Factor J: with Amici Italia today to raise awareness about inflammatory bowel disease.
For International Women's Day, we have chosen to dedicate a session of Factor J, a project that has involved over 200,000 high school students and introduced them to the world of science, to inflammatory bowel diseases, which are not very well known, but appear very frequently in the 20-30 age group, also affecting young women.
Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) affect about 250,000 people in Italy, of which over 100,000 are women, mainly young women. The Fondazione Mondo Digitale organised a meeting with the experts of the Amici Italia - National Patient Association, Sicily section, to raise awareness and discuss these pathologies. The meeting clarified many doubts and fears, especially for young women on aspects such as motherhood and fertility.
“Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic and recurring. They alternate periods of acute pain with phases of remission," explains Ambrogio Orlando, Head of UOSD - MICI AO Ospedali Riuniti "Villa Sofia-Cervello" Palermo. "Their cause is unfortunately still unknown, but it is believed that the alteration of the immune system and some multifactorial causes play a decisive role. IBD generally begins at 20-40, but the onset can occur at any age. In Italy, 5-10 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants are estimated each year and in recent years there has been an increase in the onset of these pathologies in women. So, it is important to recognise the first signs and intervene with a timely diagnosis and a specific therapy to reduce the impact of the disease on important phases of women's lives, such as motherhood” [data: IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital].
Therefore, with early diagnosis and specific therapies, thanks to the progress achieved by research, these diseases can be controlled, improving the quality of life of patients. And trust in science is one of the objectives of Factor J, the initiative, now in its third edition, which involves schools in Italy to bring young people closer to scientific subjects and reinforce their trust in research and in scientific advances, for a better and healthier future.
“We are happy to be a partner in this initiative and talk to young people about these pathologies that affect over 16,000 patients in Sicily alone, 40% of whom reside here in the province of Palermo,” says Antonio Scimeca, President of the Amici Sicilia Section. “As an association we are committed to raising people's awareness on a national scale through initiatives such as Factor J. Furthermore, we try to improve the relationship between doctors and patients, as well as to identify the best possible diagnostic-therapeutic options. We are also committed to supporting people affected by these pathologies on a psychological level, promoting discussion and dialogue with those who have followed the same therapies. Support that also comes from discussions with students in schools to underline the importance of inclusion and solidarity, fundamental values that help create a better and more just society. It is important that young people drive this change and help create a world in which everyone can feel accepted and respected."
“IBDs are not very well known, as are the strategies to deal with them even in everyday life, combined with innovative therapies which, thanks to research, continue to be developed to improve the lives of patients. We are dedicating particular attention to young people, as is confirmed by our presence today, by providing correct information and activating innovative methods of peer support”, adds Giuseppe Santoro, Amici Italia volunteer and contact person for projects with schools. "It is precisely for this reason that we set up Amici Young, a group of young volunteers aged 14-19 from different regions of Italy as a new group within AMICI Italia with the desire to share and discuss issues with their peers and represent a proactive engine for the future of the association”.
"Psychological support for those diagnosed with a chronic disease is essential, especially if, as in the case of IBDs, it impacts everyday life," points out Maria Grazia Mortillaro, psychologist and cognitive behavioural psychotherapist at the IBD Palermo clinic. "We help patients understand their therapy and we provide support for their doubts and fears on important issues such as fertility and pregnancy. Our role is to support people and help them face the pathology not only from the therapeutic perspective."
“Janssen has been present for a long time in the field of IBDs, redefining the treatment paradigm of these pathologies. We work every day so that research may make significant progress and identify innovative therapies that provide long-term remission of the pathologies, thus ensuring a better quality of life for those who suffer from them," explains Elisabetta Grillo, Therapeutic Area Medical Manager Immunology, Janssen Italia, the pharmaceutical company of the Johnson & Johnson Group. "This is why we are proud to be part of the large network including patient associations, scientific agencies and institutions that support Factor J and believe, like us, in the importance of promoting trust in science and helping young people to understand its value and trust it.”
Melchiorra Greco, school administrator, declared: "I thank the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, the Amici Association and Janssen for the opportunity provide to us today and I emphasise the importance of raising the awareness of young people for a correct lifestyle and the need for prevention".
Today's meeting adds to Factor J's awareness-raising and training calendar of on-site and on-line lessons and events in various Italian regions, involving over 3000 high school students.
The students participating in Factor J are also involved in practical sessions on podcasting techniques, video making, graphics and storytelling, and will participate in a large contest that will see them as protagonists of the "health of the future". The works of the young people will be selected and judged by an exceptional jury composed of professionals from the world of communication and science. The winners in the individual categories will receive prizes at the Milan event in May and will see their works promoted on various platforms.
