HEART Project in Serbia: Expanding Outreach with Media Appearances and Innovative Research
The HEART project continues to gain visibility and engagement in Serbia through the active efforts of partners KBC Dragiša Mišović and the Public Health Institute Batut. Recently, Sanja Ivanković from KBC Dragiša Mišović made two important appearances on Serbian Broadcasting Agency TV and Radio Belgrade, where she explained the project’s goals and invited citizens to participate in the ongoing clinical study at three demo locations in Belgrade. These media engagements have raised public awareness and encouraged community involvement in the project’s research activities.
Cutting-Edge Research Presented at EFMI STC 2024 Conference
In November 2024, Serbian HEART partners presented their latest research at the EFMI STC 2024 conference in Timişoara, Romania, under the title “Using ICT Tools for Exploring the Impact of Urban Blue-Green Spaces on Human Health and Well-Being.” This study, published in Applied Medical Informatics (Vol. 46, Suppl. 2), showcases how innovative ICT tools-including wearable biometric devices, mobile apps, and environmental sensors-are used to monitor health indicators of volunteers visiting urban blue-green spaces in Belgrade and partner cities.
The research highlights the positive effects of exposure to blue-green urban environments on cardiovascular, respiratory, mental, and metabolic health, providing valuable data to support urban planning and public health strategies.
Media Outreach and Public Engagement in Serbia
Sanja Ivanković’s TV and radio appearances have been instrumental in communicating the HEART project’s mission to a wider audience. By detailing the clinical study’s design and the benefits of urban blue-green spaces, she encouraged Belgrade residents to actively participate in the research, helping to generate robust data for improving urban health.
Alongside these media efforts, KBC Dragiša Mišović and Batut, together with the Municipality of Stari Grad, continue to organize seminars, sensor installations, and public activities that foster dialogue between health professionals, urban planners, and citizens, strengthening the community’s role in shaping healthier urban environments.
Conclusion
The combined efforts of scientific research, innovative ICT applications, and proactive media engagement by Serbian HEART partners are driving forward the project’s vision of healthier, greener, and more sustainable cities. Through these activities, HEART is not only advancing knowledge but also empowering citizens to become active participants in the transformation of their urban spaces.
For the full research article, see:
Ivankovic, S., Jovanovic, D., Savic, P., Karadžić, V., & Vasić, M. (2024). Using ICT Tools for Exploring the Impact of Urban Blue-Green Spaces on Human Health and Well-Being. Applied Medical Informatics, 46(Suppl. 2), S53-S56.
