“We want ageing to become an opportunity rather than a challenge,” emphasises Mónica Seidi - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, chaired today the opening session of the training course "Revolution of Longevity," which took place at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital (HDES) in Ponta Delgada.

This event falls within the Regional Programme for the Promotion of Active and Healthy Ageing, which is part of the Regional Health Plan 2030.

Mónica Seidi acknowledged that demographic ageing is currently a major challenge not only for public health but also for the social sector, requiring the adoption of innovative policies and strategies.

She explained: "For this reason, we have decided that we must address this issue properly and develop a regional programme dedicated to this particular topic."

According to Mónica Seidi, the concept of longevity is closely related to increased life expectancy. Whether individually or collectively, everyone has a responsibility to prepare for ageing in the best way possible.

The training programme consists of six sessions held between September 2025 and February 2026, focusing on the six pillars of a healthy lifestyle: nutrition and healthy eating, physical activity, mental well-being and stress management, healthy social relationships and positive interactions, sleep hygiene, and avoiding harmful substances and addictive behaviours.

This first training course aims to raise awareness, build capacity and mobilise workplaces to promote active and healthy ageing throughout working life.

Next year, this training will be held at the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island (HSEIT) and the Horta Hospital. It is planned that this training will also be extended to the entire regional public administration.

The Regional Secretary concluded by stressing that ageing should be transformed from a challenge into an opportunity, adding "life to years, not just years to life."