Sespa promotes debate on environmental factors and child health at state forum
III Forum on School Health and the Environment brings together specialists focused on strategies for promoting and protecting children's health
The State Department of Public Health of Pará (Sespa), in partnership with the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP), held on October 2 and 3, the III Forum on School Health and the Environment – Importance of Environmental Factors and Health. The event took place in a hybrid format, with an in-person program at the Sespa auditorium, and online transmission for participants from all over Pará.
The program addressed fundamental themes for the health of school-aged children, such as: causes and strategies for reducing childhood mortality, prevention strategies and identification of changes in child development, vaccination against dengue, as well as integrated actions for promoting school health and environmental preservation.
Among the highlights were discussions on the importance of immunization, nutrition in the school environment, prevention of bullying and violence in schools, and the need for a broader perspective on the role of the school environment in the holistic development of the child.
The vice-president of the Pará Society of Pediatrics (Sopape), Dr. Vilma Hutim, emphasized the importance of investing in forums like this to strengthen public policies for child care, from prenatal to school development.
“We need to consider the school as a health-promoting space in its broadest sense. This includes care for the environment, nutrition, violence prevention, and preparation for major events that directly impact children's health,” explained Vilma.
The state coordinator of Child Health at Sespa, Ana Cristina Guzzo, highlighted that one of the main objectives of the forum is to provide support to health and education professionals in caring for school-aged children.
“We want to strengthen pediatric professionals and also train educators to deal with contemporary issues, such as excessive screen use and its impacts on child development. The forum will also be a space for proposing intersectoral public policies,” she stated.
The program was open to pediatricians, but also to health professionals from the (state and municipal) secretariats, as well as representatives from the Regional Health Centers of the state.
During the two days of the event, the audience participated in round tables, mini-conferences, lectures, and presentations of successful experiences. One of the most memorable moments was the musical closing, when all participants sang together the song "Earth, Planet Water," by Guilherme Arantes, in a moment of integration led by the president of the School Health Department of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics.
Text from Ascom Sespa
