Health council at the local self-government unit: Report 2022 for Serbia

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Background: Creating resilient, adaptable communities and supportive environments is one of the goals of the "Health 2020" police framework developed by the World Health Organization. The Health Council (Council) is responsible for social care for public health (PH) at the level of local self-government units (LGUs) in accordance with the Law on PH. Methods and Objectives: The goal of the research is to examine the capacity of Counsil in the community and to evaluate the cooperation with PH institutes (PHI), as well as other partners and actors related to PH in the community. The survey questionnaire "Report on the activities of participants in the PH System - Health Council at the LGUs" with six parts was used (January 2023). Using descriptive statistical analysis, the distributions of answers to the questions were determine for first two part of questionnaire - Social care for the PH of the LGUs in the field of physical, mental and social health, promotion and prevention. Results: The survey covered 130 (89,6%) of 145 LGUs. The Council has 90.7% of LGUs. PHI representatives participate in the work of 74.5% of the Council. The PH Plan was adopted by 39.3% of LGUs. PHIs made Analysis of the health status of municpality for 40% LGUs. Health risk assessment study have 10.7% LGUs. Campaigns for promoting healthy lifestyles support 78.7% of LGUs. Preventive examinations, immunization and prevention of violence are most often supported (52.5; 45.1; 37.7; %). LGUs most often participate by providing media support, space and the participation of LGU representatives (63.1; 60.7; 54.1; %). The most common partners of LGUs in campaigns are health centers, the Red Cross, PHIs and civil organizations (75.6; 64.4; 51.9; 38.5;%; ). LGUs funded a total of 794 PH programs in the community from all areas of PH, of which 475 (59.8%) were from social care for PH in the areas of physical, mental and social health, prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles. Conclusions: To apply evidence-based recommendations to improve all areas of public health to be implemented in policy-making and action at the local level, monitoring of existing measures and activities in accordance with evidence-based recommendations or political areas of action is necessary.