The Municipality of Almeida is taking part in the European SAM project, developed within the framework of the Interreg Sudoe programme, which brings together municipalities and institutions from Portugal, Spain and France with the aim of developing new approaches to promote community health.
The project is led by the University of Cantabria, through the Valdecilla Health Research Institute, with scientific coordination in Portugal provided by AIDFM in Lisbon.
Innovation applied to the social determinants of health
The SAM project aims to develop an innovative digital tool — a “digital twin” — that will allow healthcare professionals to visualise, through a digital service, the social determinants of health and the community assets available in the territory, adapting healthy lifestyle recommendations to each citizen’s social context.
This approach, known as social prescribing, seeks to complement traditional healthcare by valuing community resources such as local associations, cultural activities, physical activity initiatives, volunteer networks and community meeting spaces.
The role of the Municipality of Almeida
Within the framework of the project, the Municipality of Almeida is involved in identifying and characterising the health assets available in the territory, contributing to the creation of a map of community resources that can be used by healthcare professionals to support personalised interventions for the population.
This initiative aims to highlight territorial heritage and local services that represent health assets, while promoting local development opportunities and strengthening the connection between the community and the healthcare system.
European cooperation for healthier territories
The project brings together various institutional partners and municipalities from Portugal, Spain and France, promoting transnational cooperation and knowledge exchange in the field of health innovation.
Through this participation, the Municipality of Almeida strengthens its commitment to local health promotion policies and to the development of innovative solutions that contribute to healthier, more inclusive and resilient communities.
