Green light has been given to the new National Prevention Plan (PNP) 2026-2031 , approved on 21 May 2026 at the State-Regions Conference.The document represents the strategic tool to guide health policies for the coming years, with the aim of making prevention more effective, uniform, and focused on the population's needs.
The Plan strengthens the role of prevention within the National Health Service, promoting a paradigm shift : no longer just a response to disease, but the ability to anticipate health risks and intervene on health determinants throughout the lifespan.
More resources and strengthened governance
To implement these measures, 200 million euros per year are earmarked for the Regions, with an additional 50 million for 2026 earmarked for local prevention activities.The Plan also introduces a more stringent monitoring system, based on 14 mandatory Predefined Programs, with objectives and indicators defined at the national level.
The aim is to ensure greater uniformity between territories and to link prevention to the verification of Essential Levels of Assistance (LEA) .
One Health and seven priority areas
The 2026-2031 National Plan confirms the One Health approach, which connects human, animal, and environmental health, promoting an integrated vision of health policies.The Plan identifies seven macro-areas of intervention:
- chronic non-communicable diseases
- dependencies
- domestic and road accidents
- health and safety at work
- environment, climate and health
- infectious diseases
- food safety and veterinary public health
Digital and data-driven prevention
A cornerstone of the Plan is the development of digital tools for planning and monitoring, with a national platform that will enable data collection, measurement of results, and more timely and effective guidance on public policies .Food safety: prevention throughout the supply chain
Within the PNP 2026-2031, food safety takes on a strategic role , in close connection with veterinary health and environmental protection, and is fully integrated into the One Health approach.From production to consumption: an integrated system
The Plan strengthens the "farm to fork" approach, aiming to ensure safe food throughout all stages of the supply chain: production, processing, distribution, and consumption.
This approach takes into account risks throughout the entire agri-food system, in a context marked by globalization, complex supply chains, and growing interdependence between environment and health security.
Controls, traceability and prevention of foodborne diseases
Among the main actions planned:
- strengthening official controls on businesses and products
- improving tracking and early warning systems
- combating fraud and non-compliance
- surveillance of foodborne diseases (FTDs) and zoonoses
Emerging risks and scientific research
Particular attention is paid to new risk scenarios:
- chemical and biological contaminants
- spread of emerging pathogens
- effects of climate change on food security
Information and the role of citizens
The Plan also enhances the role of citizens, promoting nutritional education, healthy consumption habits, and greater awareness , essential elements for reducing food-related health risks.
A look to the future
The National Prevention Plan 2026-2031 represents a decisive step towards a more preventative, integrated, and data-driven healthcare system, in which food safety becomes a central lever of public health.
The challenge now is implementation: the Regions, through their own Plans, will translate these strategic guidelines into concrete interventions , capable of uniformly improving the quality of life of citizens throughout the country.