Meduni Vienna: "Vienna Prevention Project" aims to increase healthy life years of the population
The City of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna today signed a letter of intent for future cooperation within the framework of the "Vienna Prevention Project" (ViPP). This joint initiative aims to regularly examine a representative sample of the population of Vienna. The project's goal is to use the knowledge gained to contribute to an increase in healthy life years in the Austrian population. At the same time, ViPP is intended to sustainably strengthen public health and the prevention of diseases – from both a medical and a health economic perspective.
The "Vienna Prevention Project" (ViPP) is a joint initiative of the Medical University of Vienna and the City of Vienna. A representative sample of the Viennese population is examined regularly and in detail in order to gain a clearer understanding of individual differences in the development of various diseases and their interrelationships. The most modern methods of molecular and clinical medicine are used in the sense of precision medicine.
The overarching goal of the ViPP is to increase the number of healthy life years in the Austrian population and to improve public health and disease prevention from both a medical and a health economic perspective. Currently, Austria lacks sufficient data to enable such analyses.
"A central aim of the ‘Vienna Prevention Project’ is to prioritise prevention over reparative medicine. Through targeted preventive measures, we want to identify or prevent illnesses at an early stage and treat them with the latest precision medical therapies, which will also ensure better use of resources in the healthcare system," explains Markus Müller, Rector of MedUni Vienna.
With an average healthy life expectancy of only around 57 years, the health system, which is currently focused on reparative medicine, is under pressure. Early retirements and sick leave are a burden on the economy and highlight the need for preventative intervention and a better understanding of the most important health issues. "Increasing life expectancy and the significant increase in age-related and lifestyle-related illnesses are presenting our health system with major challenges. It is therefore important that better preventive medicine is used to maintain good health into old age," explains Mayor Ludwig. Better preventive care for everyone not only results in fewer illnesses and higher recovery rates, and thus longer life expectancy with a higher quality of life, but also relieves the burden on health, care and social systems, Vienna's mayor continues. "The city of Vienna should become an international centre of modern preventive medicine with a model character. The aim is to offer preventive medical check-ups in future in prevention centres according to the ‘one-stop shop’ principle, in a straightforward and uncomplicated manner, from a single source," says Ludwig.
Improve healthcare – sustainably relieve the health system
The medium-term plan of the "Vienna Prevention Project" is to monitor 20,000 people in two groups, one with an intensive early detection programme and one with basic examinations. Modern diagnostic methods from various medical specialisations will be used. In addition, data on lifestyle, work and mental health will be collected, and biological samples for the biobank will be gathered. The aim is to develop new methods for risk assessment and disease prediction using integrated data analysis and artificial intelligence. This should enable personalised prevention strategies and create a better understanding of disease progression. The ViPP pursues the vision of establishing modern prevention centres in Vienna and, in the long term, throughout Austria. These should offer comprehensive medical and psychosocial prevention under one roof – including occupational health care, counselling and digital aftercare. The ultimate goal is also to improve the structure of health care and to relieve the health system in the long term.
Contact
Mag. Johannes Angerer
Medizinische Universität Wien
Leiter Kommunikation und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Telefon: 01/40160-11501
E-Mail: presse@meduniwien.ac.at