The seminar, held at Armazéns do Vinho, brought together specialists to raise public awareness about prevention, recognizing warning signs, and the importance of a timely response to this medical emergency. Throughout the afternoon, two panel discussions addressed primary prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and physiotherapy, highlighting the need for an integrated approach to stroke.
In the opening session, the Mayor of Óbidos Municipality, Filipe Daniel, emphasized that “a community is only truly strong, cohesive, and developed if it is a healthy community,” highlighting disease prevention and quality of life as municipal priorities. He warned about the impact of stroke, one of the leading causes of death and disability in Portugal, and noted that a significant portion of cases are associated with modifiable risk factors such as stress, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle.
Filipe Daniel advocated for investment in health literacy, balanced nutrition, physical activity, and regular medical check-ups, underscoring the role of local authorities in reducing barriers to healthcare access. He pointed to the Óbidos+Saúde Plan, funded by the Municipality, as an example, offering general and family medicine consultations, nursing care, home medical support, teleconsultations, and subsidized diagnostic tests.
The councilor responsible for Health, Soraia Saramago, reinforced the importance of continuous support for residents and the role of the Health Office in coordinating with local health services and associations. She highlighted the Óbidos+Saúde Plan in regular monitoring of risk factors, such as blood pressure and diabetes control, and medication management, with special attention to the elderly population.
Municipal intervention in prevention also includes the SalTO Saudável project, developed in the municipality's schools, which promotes healthy eating habits among children and the school community, under the slogan “Less salt. More flavor. More health.”. The project focuses on gradually reducing sodium content and introducing seaweed as a natural nutritional alternative. Promoting physical activity in various parishes aims to combat sedentary lifestyles.
The initiative was attended by Fernando Mota Tavares, Director of the Medical-Scientific Department of the Portugal AVC Association, and specialists in general and family medicine, public health, nutrition, physical activity, and physiotherapy, allowing for a comprehensive approach to stroke.
