A small amount of solar radiation is welcome, it is necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D, which promotes absorption of calcium - necessary for building bones. It is also known that seasonal changes (shorter days in winter) for a large number of people can cause fatigue despite sufficient quantity of sleep and loss of energy, lethargy, sadness and anxiety. A group of these symptoms (which may be of different intensity) is called a seasonal depressive disorder and affects about 10% of the population. It is believed that the development of this disorder causes the decrease of sunlight during winter months. The lack of sunlight affects biochemical balance in the brain by changing the mechanism of secretion of melatonin, a hormone important for healthy sleep, and serotonin, which regulates mood. But the last ten years, scientists warn of damage of the ozone layer in the atmosphere, causing an increasing amount of UV rays reaching the Earth's surface, thereby increasing the intensity of solar radiation, with all its negative consequences.
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Visit of health professionals from Iran
A group of health professionals from Iran will visit the Institute of Public Health "Dr. Andrija Štampar" on Monday 13th July 2009. at 14.00 pm.
The visit is organized within the framework of the "Study tour to share experience with other countries" of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the World Health Organization, regional office in Alexandria. They have selected Croatia as country with the extensive experience in the organization of primary health care and the “Healthy City” movement.
Iranian experts will be staying in Croatia from 12th to 19th July 2009 in cooperation with the "Andrija Štampar" School of Public Health. The objectives of the study, visits and seminars are to analyze the experiences and predictions of future development of access to health, primary health care and Community Based Initiatives.
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In the Great Hall of the Institute of Public Health Dr. Andrija Štampar on 7th July 2009. (Tuesday) starting at 11 am Dr. Tomris Cesuroglu from GENAR Institute in Ankara, Turkey will hold a lecture about Public Health Genomics and represent a model and implementation of Public Health Genomics in practice.
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On the World Health Day, 07th April 2009. in Dr. Andrija Štampar Institute of Public Health, President of the Republic of Croatia Stjepan Mesić unvieled a memorial bust of Dr. Štampar, founder and first president of the World Health Organization. Dr. Štampar's daughter Zorka Lukovnjak attended this festive event along with other guests and employees of the Institute.
President Mesić said that Dr. Andrija Štampar helped not only Croatia but also worldwide and now Croatia is returning to Dr. Štampar, although maybe there was a little injustice to him. His health learnings should reach every person and family. "Andrija Štampar returns, his work returns.", said the President.
Prof. dr. Antoinette Kaić Rak, head of the World Health Organization Office in the Republic of Croatia, pointed out that Dr. Štampar was a Croat who became a worthy citizen of the world and today the concept of public health is linked to his name.
Mayor of Zagreb Milan Bandić said that the setting of this memorial honors one of the most memorable and noblest men in our history.
Dr. Tihomir Majić, director of the Institute spoke about the life and work of Dr. Štampar.
A bronze memorial bust, the work of academic sculptor Antun Augustinčić is placed in the lobby of the Institute.
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European Cervical Cancer Week (19.-25. January, 2009.)
On the occasion of European Cervical Cancer Week (19.-25. January, 2009.) Croatian league against cancer, Non-governmental organization Zdravka, the Croatian branch of European Cervical Cancer Association (ECCA), with the support of Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Croatia, organized a public health action against cervical cancer entiteld: "ALL YOU CAN".
The main goal of this action is to invite parents and young girls that they protect themselves against HPV infection which causes cervical cancer through responsible sexual behavior, education and immunization.
During the campaign and for this purpose, educational videos will be broadcast on TV and Radio Stations, educational information materials will be printed and experts will held meetings on this subject.
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Healthy Cities Conference, which was held in Zagreb, finished with signing a Declaration between the Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić and WHO's representative Dr. Agis Tsouros.
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Opening ceremony of the International Healthy Cities Conference started yesterday in the Concert Hall Vatroslav Lisinski in Zagreb. This is the largest Conference on health held in Croatia. The Conference was opened by the President of the Republic of Croatia Stjepan Mesić, in the presence of Mayor Milan Bandić, the Minister of Health and Welfare Darko Milinović, and representative of the World Health Organization Agis Tsouros.
Zagreb expressed welcome to many Conference participants from all over the world with its recognizable symbols - professor Baltazar, Zagreb majorettes and a magnificent performance by ensemble Lado.
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