VARESE (ITALPRESS) – Every day, millions of Italians live with silent cardiometabolic risks: about 4 million have a diagnosis of diabetes, almost half of adults are overweight or obese and about 18% suffer from high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Numbers highlighting how urgent it is to make cardiometabolic prevention accessible and close to citizens. To respond to this challenge, Lilly launches the initiative “Io Prevengo”: a traveling truck that from today and until 12 April will offer, in the main Lombardy squares, free screening, education activities, personalized counseling on correct lifestyles and informative materials. The tour starts today from Varese – in Piazza Monte Grappa, where it will remain until March 15 – then touch in the next days several provinces of Lombardy. “Io Prevengo” takes place in the Olympic and Paralympic Games of Milan Cortina 2026, of which Lilly is Sponsor, with the aim of leaving a concrete legacy in terms of health and prevention, promoting healthy lifestyles and a greater awareness of cardiometabolic risk factors in the communities involved. Cardiometabolic diseases (including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and related cardiovascular diseases) are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality, with a significant prevalence that increases with age and in the presence of sedentary lifestyles. In Lombardy, according to ISTAT 2024, the prevalence of diabetes is 5.87%, equal to approximately 496 thousand adult people, of which 447 thousand suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, it is estimated that overweight subjects are 2.9 million and 998 thousand suffering from obesity. The most at-risk range consists of about 175.000 subjects in pre-diabetes condition with overweight (BMI 25-29.9) or obesity (BMI = 30), for which early intervention is essential to prevent progression to conclaimed disease. Inside the mobile clinic, completely accessible to people with reduced mobility, there will be three clinical stations for rapid and non-invasive examinations presided over by health professionals, an area dedicated to nutritional advice and spaces for educational and interactive activities. A proximity model that simplifies the access to first-level examinations and strengthens the role of prevention as the first ally of health. Healthcare professionals will carry out the following examinations: body mass index (BMI), life circumference, capillary glycemia, lipoprotein (a), lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides), blood pressure and glycata hemoglobin (HbA1c, key parameter for diabetes monitoring). The nutritionist team will offer personalized advice by integrating the results of the exams with practical indications on nutrition and lifestyle, to transform every advice into a complete educational path. Present at the inauguration of the project also the Undersecretary to the Presidency of Regione Lombardia, with delegation to the International and European Relations, Raffaele Cattaneo: “Bringing prevention in everyday places means shortening the distances between institutions and citizens. For this reason, we strongly support initiatives such as “Io Prevengo”, which support the commitment of Regione Lombardia to strengthen territorial health, with the aim of intercepting health needs before they become emergencies. This model, as a whole, not only relieves the pressure on Lombardy hospitals – already internationally recognized excellence – but actually translates the principle of subsidiarity, making the health system more accessible and promoting a culture of increasingly solid prevention.” To underline the value of the initiative also Emanuele Monti, President of the Welfare Commission of Lombardy Region: “Prevention is the first and most effective form of public health protection. Bring grat screeningused in the squares means early intercepting risk situations and concretely approaching citizens to treatment paths. As institutions we have the duty to support and promote initiatives that strengthen the culture of prevention and integration between territorial health, professionals and local communities. Projects like “I Prevengo” go in this direction, because they make health more accessible, inclusive and close to people”. “To Varese, today is an important day: to host the inaugural stage of “Io Prevengo” means to bring prevention in the heart of the city, in the squares where people meet each day. I invite all citizens to participate, make a screening and turn a small gesture into a great step towards health”, says the Mayor of Varese, Davide Galimberti. With “IO PREVENGO”, Lilly confirms its commitment to an inclusive and preventive health, combining scientific rigor, accessibility and social value, and leaving the Lombard territory a concrete legacy: the culture of prevention as a shared heritage. Bringing prevention to city centres means breaking down barriers, intercepting needs and promoting a culture of tangible health and well-being. “Our mission is to make prevention a concrete and daily gesture – says Elias Khalil, President and General Manager Italy Hub in Lilly – With this initiative, we want to bring screening, nutritional advice and correct information directly in the squares, among people. We are not just talking about numbers, but about real lives: families, workers, citizens who face silent risks such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension and dislipidemies. IO PREVENGO embodies the spirit of the Games: commitment, discipline, awareness, teamwork. Because prevention is a team game. It is so for institutions, for health professionals, for companies, and it is, above all, for each individual citizen. Each of us has a role in promoting healthy lifestyles, disseminating correct information, supporting a culture of prevention.” To participate in free consultations, in a totally free form, just book on www.ioprevengo.com, on the digital links accessible from Lilly social channels or directly in the square through the dedicated totem. You can select the preferred time slot, ensuring an ordered experience and reducing waiting times. “Io Prevengo” is supported by a network of institutional sponsors and collaborations with associations of civil society, which enhance its scientific and social dimension. It is realized with the patronage of AMD (Associazione Medici Diabetologi), ADB (Association Diabetici Bergamaschi), ADBP (Association Diabetic Province of Brescia), the Association Amici Obesi Onlus, CLAD (Coordination Lombardy Associations Diabetes), Conacuore (National Coordination Associations of the Heart), Diabetes Italy, FAND (Associazione Italiana Diabetici -photo press office Lilly – (ITALPRESS).
