Telesna dejavnost / Gibanje
Redna telesna dejavnost je eden od temeljev zdravja in visoke kakovosti življenja. Svetovna zdravstvena organizacija izpostavlja, da telesno dejavni ljudje pridobijo številne koristi za telesno, duševno in socialno zdravje. Kot navaja, ima telesna de javnost pomembne koristi za srce, telo in um, prispeva k preprečevanju in obvladovanju nenalezljivih bolezni, zmanjšuje simptome depresije in anksioznosti, krepi sposobnosti razmišljanja, učenja in presoje, prispeva k boljši samopodobi ter večji samozavesti, zagnanosti in optimizmu.
Tudi smernice Evropske Unije poudarjajo, da redno telesno dejavni posamezniki ohranjajo in povečujejo gibalne učinkovitosti in gibalne funkcije, zaradi česar se izboljša sposobnost opravljanja vsakdanjih dejavnosti in podaljša samostojnost v starosti. Opazno prispeva tudi k manjši odsotnosti z dela zaradi bolezni.
Telesna dejavnost pomembno vpliva na socialno interakcijo v skupnosti. Kot izpostavlja UNESCO, se razvijajo pozitivni družbeni odnosi in vedenja, tako med vrstniki in prijatelji kot tudi znotraj družine.
Kljub promociji pozitivnih učinkov gibanja sodobni način življenja, ki ga zaznamujeta telesna nedejavnost in sedentarni življenjski slog – dosega razsežnosti epidemije in narašča z alarmantno hitrostjo. Zadnja raziskava Eurobarometer iz leta 2022 je pokazala, da se je raven udeležbe v telesnih dejavnostih znižala v primerjavi s prejšnjo raziskavo iz leta 2019. Dejansko 45 % anketiranih Evropejcev poroča, da nikoli ne telovadijo ali se ukvarjajo s športom. Nasprotno pa jih 38 % to počne vsaj enkrat na teden, zgolj 6 % pa petkrat na teden ali večkrat. Tudi v Sloveniji je še vedno velik delež premalo telesno dejavnih prebivalcev. Po zadnji raziskavi Eurobarometra v Sloveniji zgolj 18 % mladostnikov, starih 15 let dosega zadostno količino telesne dejavnosti za krepitev zdravja po priporočilih Svetovne zdravstvene organizacije.
Na Športni uniji Slovenije ugotavljamo, da je potrebno veliko več storiti na področju promocije telesne dejavnosti in njenih pozitivnih učinkov na naše zdravje. Slovenija v gibanju, Veter v laseh, Zdravo društvo, Teden gibanja, Festival aktivnega staranja so le nekateri ključni programi, s katerimi si želimo skozi mrežo članstva priti do večine prebivalcev in prebivalk Slovenije.
Osredotočiti se moramo na programe telesnih vadb za krepitev zdravja, ki so se že v preteklosti izkazali kot pomemben dejavnik vrednot slovenskega naroda. Jutranja telovadba, Vadba za zdrav hrbet, Zdrava vadba, Telesna vadba na daljavo so naši programi, ki pripomorejo k doseganju bolj aktivne populacije.
Za implementacijo tovrstnih programov in podporo razvoju sodobnih oprijemov je potrebno zagotoviti boljše podporne mehanizme, kjer v ospredju izstopa prihajajoči Nacionalni program športa. Izjemno pomembno je, da tovrstni dokument prepozna telesno dejavnost in športno rekreacijo kot ključen dejavnik pri zagotavljanju zdrave družbe. To se mora odražati tudi v večji finančni podpori kakor tudi zagotavljanju sredstev za povečanje števila strokovnega kadra, če želimo doseči, da so vsi otroci in mladostniki redno telesno dejavni, najmanj 80 odstotkov redno športno dejavnih odraslih ter najmanj 65 odstotkov gibalno aktivne starejše populacije.
Ko so ti pogoji zagotovljeni, je pomembna tudi mreža članstva Športne unije Slovenije, ki mora segati praktično v vsako slovensko vas. Kot pravi Evropska športna listina – vsi ljudje imajo neodtujljivo pravico do dostopa do športa v varnem okolju, kar je bistvenega pomena za njihov osebni razvoj in ključnega pomena pri uveljavljanju pravic do zdravja, izobraževanja, kulture in sodelovanja v skupnosti.
Physical activity / Movement
Regular physical activity is one of the foundations of good health and a high quality of life. The World Health Organisation points out that people who are physically active enjoy many physical, mental and social health benefits. According to the WHO, physical activity has important benefits for the heart, body and mind; helps prevent and control noncommunicable diseases; reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety; improves thinking, learning and judgement skills, contributes to a better self-image, and increases self-confidence, enthusiasm and optimism.
European Union guidelines also emphasise that regular physical activity maintains and improves physical performance and motor function, which improves the ability to carry out activities of daily living and prolongs independence in old age. Regular exercise also makes a significant contribution to reducing sickness absence.
Physical activity has an important impact on social interaction in the community. As UNESCO points out, positive social relationships and behaviours are developed among peers and friends as well as within the family.
Despite the promotion of the benefits of physical activity, modern lifestyles characterised by physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles have reached epidemic proportions and are growing at an alarming rate. The latest Eurobarometer survey, carried out in 2022, shows that the level of participation in physical activity has decreased compared to the previous survey carried out in 2019. In fact, 45% of Europeans surveyed say they never do any sport or exercise. However, 38% do so at least once a week, and only 6% do so five or more times a week.
Slovenia also still has a high proportion of people who do not get enough physical activity. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, only 18% of Slovenian adolescents aged 15 years do enough physical activity to promote good health, as recommended by the WHO.
The Sports Union of Slovenia recognises that much more needs to be done to promote physical activity and its positive effects on health. Slovenia in Motion, Wind in the Hair, Healthy Club, Move Week and Active Ageing Festival are just some of the key programmes that aim to reach every Slovenian citizen through our membership network. The focus will be on health-enhancing exercise programmes, which have historically been an important factor in the values of the Slovenian nation. Morning Workout, Active ageing exercise program, Exercise for a Healthy Back, Healthy exercise programme and Remote Workout are our programmes to help achieve a more active population.
Better support mechanisms are needed to implement such programmes and to support the development of modern approaches, with the forthcoming National Programme for Sport coming to the fore. It is essential that this document recognises physical activity and sport and recreation as a key factor in ensuring a healthy society. This must be reflected in increased financial support and the provision of resources to increase the number of professionals if we are to achieve the targets of all children and adolescents being regularly physically active, at least 80% of adults being regularly physically active and at least 65% of the older population being physically active.
Once these conditions are met, the membership network of the Sports Union of Slovenia is also important and should reach almost every Slovenian village. As the European Sports Charter says: “All human beings have an inalienable right of access to sport in a safe environment, which is essential for their personal development and instrumental in the exercise of the rights to health, education, culture and participation in the life of the community.”
Zdrava prehrana / Nutricionizem
Prehrana predstavlja ključen vir energije za življenje in ima izjemen vpliv na našezdravje in splošno počutje, lokalni ekosistem in na naš planet kot celoto. Pravilnaprehrana krepi naš imunski sistem in pomaga ohranjati telesno in duševno ravnovesje.
Resolucija o nacionalnem programu o prehrani in telesni dejavnosti za zdravje 2015 – 2025 poleg redne telesne dejavnosti uvršča zdravo prehranjevanje med ključne dejavnike varovanja in krepitve zdravja, ki prispevajo k boljšemu zdravju, večji kakovosti življenja in k vzdržnosti zdravstvenih sistemov.
Svetovna zdravstvena organizacija zagovarja uživanje raznolike hrane, ki naj vsebuje veliko sadja in zelenjave ter uravnotežen vnos ostale prehrane. Spodbuja čim manj zaužitja soli, sladkorjev ter nasičenih in industrijsko proizvedenih trans maščob.
Na direktoratu za hrano in ribištvo so izpostavili, da je iz zdravstvenega vidika priporočeno uživanje sezonske zelenjave in sadja iz lokalnega okolja, saj sta običajno bolj optimalno dozorela, imata višjo hranilno vrednost, sta boljšega okusa in bolj prijazna do okolja.
Zdravo prehranjevanje vključuje več vidikov, kot so oblikovanje pravilnega prehranskega ritma, razporeditev dnevnih energijskih potreb med obroki, uravnotežena makro- in mikro- hranilna sestava živil, metoda priprave innačin uživanja hrane.
Kljub vsem spoznanjem pa se tako v Sloveniji kot drugod po svetu, soočamo z resno krizo debelosti, ki se je od leta 1975 skoraj potrojila. Nezdrava prehrana, energijska neuravnoteženost med presnovnimi potrebami in prehranskim vnosom ter hiter tempo življenja so le nekateri dejavniki, ki pospešujejo nastanek kroničnih nenalezljivih bolezni sodobnega časa, kot so bolezni srca in ožilja, sladkorna bolezen tipa 2, nekatere vrste raka, nekatera kronična pljučna obolenja ter osteoporoza. Podatki kažejo, da so med vzroki umrljivosti v Sloveniji takoj za rakom bolezni srca in ožilja, ki so še vedno vzrok za več kot tretjino vseh smrti. Danes v svetu več ljudi umre zaradi posledic neprimerne prehrane kot zaradi kajenja.
Športna unija Slovenije bo v prihodnje vzpostavila nove programe, ki se bodo osredotočali na promocijo pomena samooskrbe, lokalno pridelane hrane ter dostopa do čiste in varne pitne vode v okolju, kjer živimo. To bo tudi osnova za pripravo novega programskega stebra, ki bo vključeval ocenjevanje prehrane v delovnem okolju kot nadgradnja programa Zdravju prijazna organizacija ter individualno svetovanje o zdravi prehrani in zdravem prehranjevanju na osnovi lokalne identitete. Programsko zahteven individualni pristop se bo osredotočal na posameznika – njegove prehranske navade, potrebe ter osebne okoliščine, na podlagi katerih bo temeljil načrt za izboljšanje njegovega prehranjevalnega režima in doseganje boljšega zdravja. Pomembno bo zagotoviti podporna finančna sredstva iz razpisa za sofinanciranje programov varovanja in krepitve zdravja in drugih virov.
S tovrstnim pristopom se bo sledilo viziji Resolucije o nacionalnem programu o prehrani in telesni dejavnosti zazdravje, ki pravi, da »imajo vsi prebivalci v Republiki Sloveniji dobre prehranjevalne in gibalne navade ter dostopdo zdravih izbir za prehranjevanje in telesno dejavnost, zaradi česar je višja kakovost življenja in zdravje posameznika.«
Healthy nutrition / Nutritionism
Nutrition is a key source of energy for life and has a profound impact on our health, well-being, the local ecosystem and our planet as a whole. Proper nutrition strengthens the immune system and helps us maintain physical and mental balance.
In addition to regular physical activity, the Resolution on the National Programme for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Health 2015–2025 identifies healthy eating as a key factor in protecting and promoting health, contributing to better health, improved quality of life and the sustainability of health systems.
The WHO recommends a varied diet rich in fruit and vegetables and a balanced intake of other nutrients. It encourages the consumption of as little salt, sugar and saturated and industrially produced trans fats as possible.
The Food and Fisheries Directorate has pointed out that eating seasonal fruit and vegetables from the local area is recommended from a health point of view, as they tend to be more ripe, have a higher nutritional value, taste better and are better for the environment.
Healthy eating involves several aspects, such as the development of a proper eating rhythm, the distribution of daily energy requirements between meals, the balanced macro- and micronutrient composition of food, the method of preparation and the way in which food is consumed.
Despite all this knowledge, we are facing a serious obesity crisis in Slovenia and elsewhere in the world, which has almost tripled since 1975. Unhealthy diets, energy imbalances between metabolic needs and food intake, and the fast pace of life are just some of the factors that are accelerating the emergence of the chronic noncommunicable diseases of our time, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, some chronic lung diseases and osteoporosis. Data show that after cancer, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Slovenia and still accounts for more than a third of all deaths. Today, more people worldwide die from the consequences of poor nutrition than from smoking.
In the future, the Sports Union of Slovenia will launch new programmes that will focus on promoting the importance of self-sufficiency, locally produced food and access to clean and safe drinking water in the environment in which we live. This will also be the basis for the development of a new programme pillar, which will include a workplace nutrition assessment as an extension of the Healthy Organisation programme, and individual counselling on healthy eating and nutrition based on local identity.
The programme’s sophisticated individual approach will focus on the individual – their eating habits, needs and personal circumstances, which will form the basis of a plan to improve their diet and achieve better health. It will also be important to secure supporting funding from the call for proposals for co-financing of health protection and health promotion programmes and other sources.
This approach will follow the vision of the Resolution on the National Programme for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Health, which states that “all people in the Republic of Slovenia have good nutrition and physical activity habits and access to healthy food and physical activity choices, leading to a higher quality of life and individual health”.
Preventiva / Zaščita
Zelo dobro poznamo pozitivne učinke redne telesne dejavnosti in uživanja zdrave, lokalno pridelane hrane na naše zdravje. A če želimo slediti smernicam zdravega življenjskega sloga, je potrebno storiti veliko več za naše telesno, duševno in socialno zdravje.
Svetovna zdravstvena organizacija tako izpostavlja obravnavo vedenjskih dejavnikovtveganja, kot so kadilske, pivske, prehranjevalne in gibalne navade ter izogibanjedrogam in prekomerni nenadzorovani rabi zdravil, pa tudi področje duševnega zdravja, kot so količina in kvaliteta spanja, učinkovito spoprijemanje s stresom in neprijetnimi čustvi ter vzdrževanje pozitivnih medosebnih odnosov. Pomembna je tudi skrbza higieno, preprečevanje okužb, varnost pred poškodbami ter spolno zdravje.
Zavedanje o pomenu preventivnih ukrepov za ohranjanje zdravja lahko pomembno izboljša našo kakovost življenja, nam omogoči daljše življenje in zmanjša tveganje za različne bolezni. Danes bi težko trdili, da je področje preventive in zaščite omejeno zgolj na zdravstveni sektor. Medsektorsko sodelovanje po vertikali in horizontali pri razvoju, implementaciji in evalvaciji programov, je ključno za zagotavljanje opolnomočenja posameznikov in skupnosti, saj vpliva na celotno življenjsko okolje ter družbeno blagostanje.
Športna unija Slovenije je mednarodno prepoznana in vpeta v različne projekte in programe vodilnih partnerskih organizacij na svetovni in evropski ravni, kot so TAFISA, ISCA, ICSPPE. Prenos dobrih praks, kot npr. Evropska gibalna značka, Dan brez dvigal ali Poslanstvo 2030: Boljši svet skozi šport za vse ter sodelovanje v mednarodnih projektih, financiranih skozi program Evropske Komisije Erasmus+ šport, zagotavljajo najboljše programe in inovativne pristope, ki vsebujejo zadnja znanstvena spoznanja in trende.
Na osnovi medsektorskega sodelovanja z Ministrstvom za zdravje, Nacionalnim inštitutom za javno zdravje, lokalnimi športnimi društvi z oznako »Zdravo društvo«, lokalnimi skupnostmi, osnovnimi šolami in drugimi partnerji na področju športa, zdravstva in sociale je potrebno vzpostaviti sodelovanje na redni osnovi s ciljem kreiranja novih programov in pa tudi nadgradnjo obstoječih kot je npr. Veter v laseh.
Preprečevanje bolezni in promocija zdravja imata veliko skupnih ciljev, funkcije pa se precej prekrivajo. Leta 1948 je Svetovna zdravstvena organizacija opredelila zdravje s frazo, ki je še danes zelo aktualna:
»Zdravje je stanje popolne telesne, duševne in socialne blaginje in ne le odsotnost bolezni, slabosti, poškodbe ali invalidnosti.«
Torej, v prihodnje se bomo še bolj osredotočili na področje preventive in zaščite zdravja. Želimo si izboljšati kakovost življenja posameznikov in skupnosti ter jim omogočiti daljše, bolj zdravo in srečnejše oz. zadovoljnejše življenje. Verjamemo, da je v preventivi moč in da lahko s pravilnimi ukrepi zmanjšamo tveganje za različne bolezni ter izboljšamo splošno blagostanje. Skozi sodelovanje z različnimi partnerji in strokovnjaki bomo oblikovali programe, ki bodo temeljili na najnovejših znanstvenih spoznanjih, s ciljem, da se posameznikom in skupnostim omogoči bolj kakovostno življenje. S povezovanjem in skupnimi prizadevanji se lahko premaknemo proti zdravi, zadovoljni in veseli / harmonični družbi.
Prevention / Protection
The health benefits of regular physical activity and eating healthy, locally produced food are well known. But if we are to meet the guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, we need to do much more to improve our physical, mental and social health.
The WHO highlights the need to address behavioural risk factors such as smoking, drinking, eating and exercise habits, avoiding drugs and excessive, uncontrolled use of medicines, as well as mental health issues such as quantity and quality of sleep, coping effectively with stress and unpleasant emotions, and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships. Hygiene, infection prevention, injury prevention and sexual health are also important.
Being aware of the importance of preventive measures to stay healthy can significantly improve our quality of life, enable us to live longer and reduce our risk of various diseases.
Today, it would be difficult to argue that the field of prevention and protection is limited to the health sector. Cross-sectoral cooperation, both vertical and horizontal, in the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes is key to ensuring the empowerment of individuals and communities, as it affects the entire living environment and social well-being.
The Sports Union of Slovenia is internationally recognised and involved in various projects and programmes of leading partner organisations at global and European level, such as TAFISA, ISCA and ICSPPE. The transfer of good practices, such as the European Fitness Badge, the No Elevators Day or Mission 2030: A Better World through Sport for All, and participation in international projects funded by the European Commission’s Erasmus+ Sport programme, ensure the best programmes and innovative approaches, incorporating the latest scientific knowledge and trends.
Based on cross-sectoral cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Public Health, local sports associations with the “Healthy Club” quality mark, local communities, primary schools and other partners in the fields of sport, health and social care, regular cooperation should be established with the aim of creating new programmes and building on existing ones, such as Wind in the Hair.
Disease prevention and health promotion share many common goals and there is considerable overlap in their roles. In 1948, the WHO gave a definition of health that is still very relevant today:
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease, infirmity, injury or disability.”
In the future, we will focus even more on preventing and protecting health. We want to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities, enabling them to live longer, healthier, happier and more fulfilled lives. We believe that prevention is power and that the right measures can reduce the risk of various diseases and improve overall well-being. We will work with a range of partners and experts to develop programmes based on the latest scientific evidence, with the aim of empowering individuals and communities to lead better lives. By working together, we can move towards a healthy, happy and harmonious society.
Zeleno okolje / Trajnosti
Fizično okolje, ki nas obdaja, je naravno okolje, ki je prepleteno s človekovimi vplivi. To okolje neposredno vpliva na naše življenjske in bivanjske pogoje ter posledično na naše zdravje in kakovost življenja. Zdravje ljudi in zdravje ekosistemov sta neločljivo povezana.
Šport in okolje pomembno vplivata en na drugega. Ker je šport odvisen od čistega zraka, zmerne temperature, čiste vode in zdravih prostorov za varno in prijetno športno udejstvovanje, lahko športna dejavnost in športni dogodki tudi negativno vplivajo na okolje. Zato je prostorsko načrtovanje in zavedanje o vplivih na okolje ključnega pomena za sobivanje športa in narave.
Trajnostni razvoj in varovanje okolja se uvrščata med prednostne naloge Evropske unije, saj sta ohranjanje čistega okolja in trajnostna raba naravnih virov ključna za dolgoročno zdravje ljudi. Tudi Mednarodni olimpijski komite je sprejel trajnostno strategijo, s katero želijo prispevati k agendi 2030 Združenih narodov na področju varstva okolja, v kateri se dobrobit vseh ljudi zagotavlja v okviru okoljskih omejitev našega planeta. V Sloveniji področje trajnostnega razvoja in varovanja okolja urejajo predvsem Resolucija o Nacionalnem programu varstva okolja za obdobje 2020–2030, Zakon o urejanju prostora ter trenutno še veljavni Nacionalni program športa.
Dejstvo je, da vedno več ljudi živi v mestih. Po napovedih Svetovne zdravstvene organizacije bo v Evropi do leta 2050 v urbanih naseljih živelo že 68 odstotkov vseh prebivalcev. A življenje v urbanem okolju prinaša tudi negativne posledice na kakovost bivanja. Onesnaženost zraka, obremenitev s hrupom, svetlobno onesnaževanje, pomanjkanje zelenih površin in predvsem vplivi podnebnih sprememb so ključna tveganja za vsakodnevno zdravje in dobro počutje v urbanih središčih.
Vsi ti dejavniki že danes vplivajo na porast bolezni in umrljivosti. Kot pravijo v Evropski agenciji za okolje se zaradi onesnaženja zraka že pojavljajo nove bolezni kot npr. sladkorna bolezen tipa 2, sistemsko vnetje ali duševne motnje, kot sta Alzheimerjeva bolezen, demenca in druge. Tudi stalna obremenitev s hrupom poleg poškodb sluha lahko povzroči druge učinke, kot na primer ishemična bolezen srca, visok krvni tlak, debelost, sladkorna bolezen in druge. Svetlobno onesnaževanje ima tudi neposreden vpliv na zdravje ljudi, saj moti človekov bioritem in povečuje tveganje za nekatere vrste raka, predvsem raka dojk in debelega črevesja.
Upoštevanje vidikov zdravja pri načrtovanju in upravljanju mest postaja vse bolj pomembno v zadnjih letih v ospredje vstopa prostorsko načrtovanje, ki spodbuja razvoj aktivnih in zdravih mest in še posebej zelenih površin, ki jih prepoznava kot enega ključnih prostorskih dejavnikov zdravja.
Športna unija Slovenije bo tako v prihodnje sodelovala z različnimi partnerji in organizacijami, da bi prispevala k ohranjanju okolja ter spodbujala trajnostne prakse. Aktivna mesta, aktivno življenje in aktiven življenjski slog ter povečanje zelenih javno dostopnih površin so le nekatere ključne usmeritve, ki jih bomo zagovarjali po smernicah naših partnerjev, med katerimi izstopata Urbanistični inštitut Republike Slovenije in Nacionalni inštitut za javno zdravje.
Spodbujali bomo lokalne skupnosti predvsem k implementaciji trajnostne mobilnosti, povečanju zelenih površin, izgradnji trajnostno naravnane športne infrastrukture in zagotavljanju dostopa do športa za vse, ki je okolju prijazen. Zavzemali se bomo, da se objekti in površine decentralizirano od mest razvijajo v krajevnih skupnostih, zaselkih in vaseh, saj le tako lahko sledimo načelu UNESCA, ki pravi, da ima vsak človek pravico do dostopa do telesne vzgoje in športa, ki sta bistvenega pomena za celovit razvoj njegove osebnosti ter ohranjanja zdravja.
Skozi te napore želimo zagotoviti boljše življenjske pogoje za prihodnje generacije in krepiti povezave med zdravjem, okoljem in družbenim blagostanjem.
Green environment / Sustainability
The physical environment that surrounds us is a natural environment, intertwined with human influences. This environment has a direct impact on our living conditions, and thus on our health and quality of life. Human health and ecosystem health are inextricably linked.
Sport and the environment have an important influence on each other. As sport depends on clean air, moderate temperatures, clean water and healthy spaces for safe and enjoyable sporting activities, sporting activities and events can also have a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, spatial planning and awareness of environmental impacts are crucial for the coexistence of sport and nature.
Sustainable development and environmental protection are priorities for the European Union, as maintaining a clean environment and sustainable use of natural resources are key to long-term human health. The International Olympic Committee has also adopted a sustainability strategy to contribute to the United Nations’ 2030 environmental agenda, which aims to ensure the well-being of all people within the environmental limits of our planet. In Slovenia, sustainable development and environmental protection are mainly regulated by the Resolution on the National Environmental Protection Programme for 2020–2030, the Spatial Planning Act and the National Programme of Sport, which is still in force.
The fact is that more and more people are living in cities. The WHO predicts that 68% of Europe’s total population will live in urban areas by 2050. But living in an urban environment also has a negative impact on quality of life. Air pollution, noise pollution, light pollution, lack of green spaces and, above all, the effects of climate change are major risks to everyday health and well-being in urban centres. All these factors are already contributing to an increase in disease and mortality. According to the European Environment Agency, air pollution is already causing new diseases such as type 2 diabetes, systemic inflammation and mental disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. In addition to hearing damage, long-term exposure to noise can cause ischaemic heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and more. Light pollution also has a direct impact on human health by disrupting human biorhythms and increasing the risk of certain cancers, particularly breast and colon cancer.
Health considerations in urban planning and management are becoming increasingly important, and in recent years spatial planning has been at the forefront of promoting the development of active and healthy cities, especially green spaces, which are recognised as one of the most important spatial determinants of health.
The Sports Union of Slovenia will therefore work with various partners and organisations to contribute to environmental protection and promote sustainable practices. Active cities, active living and active lifestyles, and the increase of green public spaces are just some of the key policies that we will advocate, following the guidelines of our partners, among which the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia and the National Institute of Public Health stand out. In particular, we will encourage local communities to implement sustainable mobility, increase green spaces, build sustainable sports infrastructure and ensure access to sport for all that is also environmentally friendly. We will promote the development of facilities and areas in local communities, villages and hamlets, decentralised from cities, as the only way to comply with the UNESCO principle that everyone has the right of access to physical education and sport, which are essential for the integral development of the personality and the maintenance of health. Through these efforts, we aim to ensure better living conditions for future generations and to strengthen the links between health, the environment and social well-being.