Milan, January 19 – As the XXV Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina draw near, discussions are increasingly centered on the cultural legacy these Games will leave, not only for Milan and the immediate sporting venues but for the entire country. The ancient Roman poet Juvenal’s adage, “Mens sana in corpore sano” (a sound mind in a sound body), underscores the cultural heritage emphasizing the balance between regular physical exercise, healthy eating, and a positive mental approach as key to individual health and happiness.
Milan Wellness City 2030: A Vision for a Healthier Italy
In alignment with this philosophy, the Wellness Foundation has conceived the ‘Milan Wellness City 2030’ project. This ambitious initiative aims to establish Italy, starting with Milan (already a leader in the Italian Network of WHO Healthy Cities), as a global benchmark for well-being. The project is rooted in a comprehensive study of the Milanese population, which has provided a snapshot of demographics, lifestyles, and prevalent diseases, along with future projections.
Key Challenges Identified in Milanese Population Study
The study highlighted several critical issues:
- A growing number of elderly individuals living alone and lacking self-sufficiency.
- Widespread issues of overweight, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles.
- An increase in chronic diseases.
- A rise in mental health disorders, particularly among young people.
These conditions negatively impact citizens’ health but can be mitigated and, in some cases, prevented through the integration of health, urban planning, educational, and cultural policies designed to enhance the quality of life.
The Role of Sport and Immunity in Well-being
“Many aspects related to environment and lifestyle that impact survival and quality of life also affect the immune system. This applies to environmental nanoparticles, smoking, overweight, and lack of physical exercise. Furthermore, the benefits associated with consuming fresh fruits and vegetables are believed to be partly linked to their effects on the immune system. Finally, we cannot forget that vaccines constitute a form of training for our immune system,” stated Alberto Mantovani, immunologist, President of the Humanitas Research Foundation, and a member of the Wellness Foundation’s Scientific Committee.
To foster “social immunity,” it is essential to disseminate and make accessible to all citizens a “daily medicine” composed of healthy habits maintained over time, impacting health at a preventive level. “Evidence is increasingly accumulating that physical exercise constitutes good training for the immune system. Data suggest it is an important component in preventing cancer risk. Moreover, programmed physical exercise can support therapeutic approaches,” Mantovani added.
Mental Health: An Integral Part of Overall Well-being
The adoption of healthy habits, such as physical activity, is not sufficient on its own. There is no true health without mental health. “The nervous and immune systems constitute the two ‘maximum systems’ in our organism. We know there is a close dialogue between them, even if we do not fully understand the mechanisms. One of the ways the body responds to stress is through the production of negative immune regulators, such as cortisone,” Mantovani concluded.
Concerning Data on Physical Activity in Milan
Among the findings from the study on well-being in Milan (source: first report of Milan Wellness City 2030), it emerged that over 90% of children in the Lombard capital do not meet the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for physical activity. Only 9.1% engage in physical activity 4 to 7 days a week, as recommended, and only 6.3% of Milanese adolescents meet the recommended levels of physical activity (at least 60 minutes a day). Adults and seniors in Lombardy also fall below the WHO recommended threshold (150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week). In Lombardy, only 32.8% of the adult population engages in continuous sports, and more than a quarter of people (26.3%) practice neither sports nor other forms of physical activity.
Wellness4Education: Promoting Well-being in Schools
Wellness4Education is a free educational program promoted by the Wellness Foundation, as part of the Milan Cortina 2026 Education Programme Gen26, with the patronage of the Italian Network of WHO Healthy Cities and the support of Technogym. The project, accessible via the Digital Education platform, recognized by the Ministry of Education and Merit, is aimed at middle schools. Its objective is to educate on well-being and correct lifestyles, sensitizing teachers across all subjects and providing concrete tools for students to develop awareness, autonomy, and healthy behaviors in daily activities.
Key Themes of Wellness4Education:
- The dimensions of well-being (physical, mental, social) and their interrelation.
- Physical activity and exercise for well-being and disease prevention.
- Correct eating habits for every age.
- Disconnecting from devices as a choice for one’s health.
- The importance of active breaks.
- Self-listening and self-awareness, the relationship between individual and collective health.
Upon registration, useful training materials can be downloaded.
Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games Schedule
The XXV Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina will take place from Friday, February 6, to Sunday, February 22, featuring 16 sports: Alpine Skiing (Men’s and Women’s), Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Biathlon, Freestyle Skiing (Ski Cross, Halfpipe, Slopestyle, Big Air, Moguls), Snowboard (Snowboard Cross, Halfpipe, Slopestyle, Big Air, Parallel Giant Slalom), Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Short Track, Curling (Men’s, Women’s, Mixed), Ice Hockey (Men’s and Women’s), Bobsleigh, Luge, Skeleton, and Ski Mountaineering (the new addition for 2026).
The Paralympic Games will run from Friday, March 6, to Sunday, March 15, with the following sports: Para Biathlon, Para Ice Hockey, Para Alpine Skiing, Para Cross-Country Skiing, Para Snowboard, and Wheelchair Curling.
The Milan-Cortina Olympics and Paralympics present a valuable opportunity to disseminate a new culture of sport that encompasses prevention, well-being, and health.
Source: https://www.corriere.it/salute/figli-genitori/tempo-libero/26_gennaio_19/i-giochi-olimpici-di-milano-cortina-mettono-in-moto-il-benessere-e5d88679-566b-46f3-933b-aa10ddc7axlk.shtml
