Public health programs are efficient but the assessment is complex

Health programs are efficient. This is the main conclusion of the session held yesterday at the Public Health Agency of Barcelona entitled 'Effectiveness of policies and programs of public health: do we have any evidence?’ and attended by Manel Nebot, of the Public Health Agency; Esteve Fernandez, a researcher at the Institute of Oncology (ICO), and David Rojas, predoctoral researcher at CREAL.

Some of the evaluated programs are those who take particular attention to smoking, sexual behavior, cannabis use and childhood obesity. An example is the PASE (Prevention and Substance Abuse at School), a program in which, according to Nebot, participate the 40% of 1st ESO children who attend to private, public and concerted schools. Between 80 and 90% of educators and families said they had read the guidelines published by PASE. Nebot, however, stressed that "we must work together and sustained" because "the changes made in behaviors persist over time" and admitted that "the evaluation of programs is complex."

In fact, in case of smoking Esteve Fernandez, who works at the Tobacco Control Unit of ICO, said that since the adoption of the Smoke Law, consumption has decreased, although very slightly. In addition, Fernandez warned that "the economic crisis makes quitters relapse" and stressed that youth consumption has declined. He also highlighted the 100% reduction in respiratory symptoms in waiters who work in pubs and 'smoke free' restaurants.

Meanwhile David Rojas referred to the public bicycle service Bicing and the benefit of exercising despite the major exposure to pollution that cycling suppose compared to the vehicle.