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World Pneumonia Day: Every Breath Counts

Pneumonia, often underestimated, remains one of the most serious threats to public health worldwide.
World Pneumonia Day was established in 2009 by the Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. Since then, every year on November 12th, governments, organizations, and health institutions unite their efforts to raise awareness about a disease that, although preventable and treatable, still causes millions of deaths globally.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can affect people of all ages, with particular risk for children under five, older adults, and individuals with chronic illnesses. According to WHO data, pneumonia remains the leading infectious cause of death among young children, accounting for approximately 700,000 deaths annually worldwide. In Europe and in Greece, although vaccinations and access to medical care have significantly reduced cases, pneumonia continues to be one of the most common causes of hospitalization among the elderly, especially during the winter months.

Moreover, pneumonia is a frequent and serious complication for individuals with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients. Timely prevention and proper information can save lives, protecting those already fighting their own health battles.

Prevention is therefore key. Vaccination, maintaining good hygiene, avoiding smoking, and timely medical care are essential measures to protect against this serious disease. At the same time, awareness and education help recognize early warning signs, such as high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, so that prompt and appropriate treatment can be provided.

At Kapa3, we actively support information and prevention, highlighting the importance of protecting respiratory health for everyone. Through our initiatives, we provide guidance, resources, and support, reminding that no one needs to face the challenge of pneumonia alone. This day calls on all of us to act collectively, protect the most vulnerable, and strengthen prevention at every age.

Because every breath counts, and awareness is the first step to safeguarding it.

Sources:

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Movember: The November Moustache and Men’s Health

Every November, men around the world grow a moustache, taking part in a movement that started in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia. Back then, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, chatting in a bar about past men’s trends, decided, as a playful experiment, to bring the moustache back into fashion. At the same time, inspired by the mother of a friend who had organized a fundraiser for breast cancer, they decided to pair their moustache campaign with an initiative for men’s health, specifically focusing on prostate cancer. This simple idea grew into a global movement, Movember, which today counts over 6 million members, highlighting the importance of vigilance in men’s mental and physical health.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.4 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, making it the most common cancer among men worldwide. Meanwhile, testicular cancer primarily affects younger men aged 15–44, and although survival rates are high, early detection remains crucial. Yet simple actions—a yearly check‑up with a doctor, a preventive prostate exam, a PSA blood test, a testicular ultrasound, or even self‑examination—can make a real difference.

Care, however, doesn’t stop at the body: men seek help for mental health issues far less often than women. Depression, loneliness, and anxiety often remain silent behind the phrase “I’m fine.” And yet, behind this silence, opportunities for support and for a life with quality and hope are lost.

Men are often burdened by cultural norms and stereotypes of a flawed and outdated masculinity, which distance them from prevention and self‑care. Mental health needs to become a routine, not an emergency.

In Greece, according to the latest data from KLIMAKA’s Suicide Observatory for 2024, 469 suicides were recorded, with 86% involving men. The age groups 50–54 and 20–24 show notable incidence, while those over 80 account for 9.6% of cases. The main methods were hanging (29%), firearms (25.8%), and falls (24.3%). Underreporting remains significant, with an estimated 15–20% of cases unrecorded, and each completed suicide corresponds to 20–30 attempts.

Movember is not just about men: women participate as Mo Sisters, encouraging the men in their lives to take care of themselves. Kapa3 supports such initiatives, raises awareness, and motivates the community to incorporate prevention and mental well‑being into daily life.

With everyone’s participation, men’s health can improve, awareness can grow, and prevention can become a habit. Every November moustache carries a message: taking care of your health is an act of strength and responsibility.

Learn more about the movement here.

Sources:

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Rethinking Solidarity in Health – A European Perspective

Health Systems Under Pressure in Europe

Across Europe, health systems face mounting pressures. Workforce shortages, uneven access, and entrenched inequalities leave many citizens underserved, and public trust in institutions is eroding. The pandemic briefly rekindled a sense of shared responsibility, yet shifting geopolitical tensions and economic priorities have since drawn attention away from collective well-being. This context raises a vital question: what does solidarity in health mean in Europe today? This context was highlighted at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2025, where policymakers, civil society representatives, and health experts discussed the challenges and opportunities for solidarity in health across Europe.

Health is not merely a commodity; it is the foundation for social cohesion and long-term resilience. Investing in preventive care, mental health, and social support is not a trade-off with economic competitiveness — it is a prerequisite. In the European Union alone, premature deaths in 2022 accounted for 2.4 million lost work-years, highlighting the societal and economic consequences of insufficient early action. Across member states, access to care remains uneven, chronic diseases are on the rise, and innovations are not uniformly available, leaving vulnerable populations facing overlapping disadvantages.

The Role of Preventive Care and Mental Health

Solidarity in health demands action at every level. Primary and community care serve as the first line of defense, with multidisciplinary teams — including doctors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers — partnering with civil society organisations to reach underserved groups. Examples from Andalusia, Portugal, and Estonia’s e-consultation payment model show how coordinated, person-centred approaches build trust, improve access, and empower citizens. Prevention, early detection, and health literacy must complement innovation, ensuring no one is left behind. In the EU, the average diagnostic delay for asthma is 4.5 years, underlining the need for timely, equitable care.

Digital Health Innovation and Equity

Digital transformation presents both promise and challenge. AI, big data, and digital health tools can enhance early detection and patient monitoring. They also improve system efficiency. However, they risk amplifying bias and mistrust if governance is weak.. Europe’s task is to combine innovation with ethical oversight, embedding transparency, accountability, and accessibility into every design decision. Initiatives like the European Health Data Space (EHDS) aim to unify interoperability, research, and patient empowerment under one framework, giving citizens control over their health data while supporting innovation and equity.

Health systems also intersect with broader social and environmental challenges. Climate change, rising social inequalities, and ageing populations disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, while end-of-life care and rare diseases expose gaps in equity, research, and policy. Across Europe, collaborative solutions — from shared patient pathways to cross-border networks — are essential. Health contributes approximately 10% of EU GDP and 9% of employment, demonstrating its central role in both social and economic stability. Public funding, strategic investment in long-term care, and multi-sector collaboration strengthen resilience and uphold solidarity. Notably, €170 million has been allocated to the EU’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda on Health and Climate Change, ensuring vulnerable populations are included in solutions.

Examples of Person-Centred Care in the EU

Ultimately, solidarity in health is not merely about funding or policies; it is a commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and collective responsibility. From innovative care models like Karolinska University Hospital’s “hospital at home” programme to Estonia’s digital solutions, Europe has examples of what works when equity and person-centred design guide decisions. Rebuilding trust and strengthening solidarity requires transparency, engagement with civil society, and measures that demonstrate care in action.

Europe’s social contract in health can be renewed, balancing competitiveness with care. When investments, innovation, and policies are guided by solidarity, the continent can ensure that health becomes the common ground on which trust is restored — measured not in slogans or speeches, but in the well-being of every citizen.

Read the EHFG report here

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Biomarkers Open New Paths in Cancer Treatment in Greece

Good news for cancer patients in Greece — access to personalized treatments is now becoming a reality.

A recent decision by the Ministry of Health (ΦΕΚ Β’ 5627/20-10-2025, Απόφαση Δ3(α) 41081/2025) approves and reimburses a wider range of biomarker tests, marking an important step forward for modern oncology care.

Read the Government Gazette here

But what are biomarkers?
They are special indicators detected through molecular tests that help doctors understand the unique characteristics of each patient’s cancer. In simple terms, biomarkers act like a “compass,” guiding doctors to choose the most effective and safest treatment for every individual.

Until now, only a few biomarkers were covered by the public health system — for example, molecular signatures that determine whether a woman with early-stage breast cancer needs chemotherapy (approved in 2018), or BRCA1/2 gene tests that reveal inherited risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

The new decision significantly expands this list, adding additional biomarkers for 39 indications. This allows oncologists to tailor treatments to the specific profile of each patient’s tumor, bringing Greece closer to international standards of personalized medicine.

KAPA3, which consistently supports patient education and empowerment, welcomes this development as a vital step toward more human-centred, targeted care.

This progress brings hope, better quality of life, and greater trust in the healthcare system. It is only the beginning, but it lays strong foundations for a future where every patient has access to the right treatment, at the right time.

Learn about patient rights via KAPA3’s extensive library here

Learn more about cancer biomarkers here

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Free and Reduced Transportation for People with Disabilities and Large Families – What Changes in 2025

The Greek state is implementing significant changes regarding transportation for people with disabilities and large families in 2025. The new regulations simplify procedures, expand rights, and make public transport more accessible for all eligible individuals.

People with Disabilities (PwD)
Who is eligible:
Eligible individuals include people with disabilities with a disability rate of 67% or higher, or those receiving disability benefits from OPEKA. Totally blind individuals and holders of a digital Disability Card marked with levels II or III are exempt from income limits.

What changes:

Residency criteria are removed.
The right to free or reduced transportation now extends to one accompanying person, if needed.
Using the Disability Card for OASA, OSETH, KTEL, and Thessaloniki Metro is now simple with electronic or personalized card validation, without additional documents.

Practical use:

Free travel on OASA, OSETH, urban KTEL, and the municipalities of Kos and Rhodes.
50% discount on intercity KTEL routes.
Thessaloniki Metro requires topping up the ThessCard with zero fare.
Accompanying persons can travel without separate validation when accompanying the eligible individual.

Large Families
Who is eligible:
Eligible individuals are large families and their members, according to existing legislation protecting large families.

What changes:

Travel with OASA, OSETH, and KTEL becomes more flexible.
Free or discounted tickets are supported depending on the policy of each transport service.

Practical use:

Simple procedure for issuing travel passes through Citizens’ Service Centers (KEP) and relevant regional authorities.
Tickets are valid for urban and intercity transport services.

These new regulations simplify the daily lives of people with disabilities and large families, reduce bureaucracy, and make access to all public transport easier.

See the Official Government Gazette (FEK) here

When Art Meets Science: How CREATE Platform May Strengthen Emotional Regulation in Cancer Care

At Kapa3, we recognize that cancer affects far more than the body, challenging the emotions, sense of self, relationships, and quality of life of those suffering. Despite the high prevalence of co-occuring mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, access to mental health services remains limited. This gap between patient needs and healthcare provisions is precisely what motivated us to help develop CREATE, an innovative digital platform designed to support emotional resilience through a powerful combination of art, technology, and emotional engagement (Ladas et al., 2025).

The CREATE (Creative and Resilience through Arts, Technology, and Emotions) platform uses computerised cognitive training (CCT) designed to enhance emotional regulation by integrating working memory training, engagement with famous artwork, and creative emotional expression. Unlike other platforms, it only targets one cognitive function: working memory. Evidence suggests that focusing on a single cognitive function is more effective than targeting multiple ones. Working memory in particular has been found to influence emotional regulation, a skillset with established benefits for anxiety and depression.

CREATE therefore introduces a unified framework that addresses cognitive function, emotional expression, and biological influences such as sleep quality and dopamine activity. Such digital health solutions are increasingly recognized as promising alternatives to standard psychotherapy, offering greater accessibility and affordability while still capable of reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Findings from the pilot study on CREATE were very promising; the participants found the platform easy to use and enjoyable, and showed increased emotional and creative engagement. Although this early research focused on feasibility and validity rather than therapeutic effectiveness, initial findings indicate improvements in emotional regulation. Importantly, the study demonstrated positive relationships between working memory, emotional regulation, and expression of emotion, while also suggesting that sleep and dopamine may mediate these effects.

These insights highlight the importance of lifestyle and biological data in developing personalized digital mental health tools. It is well established in neuroscience that working memory plays a central role in emotional regulation. A stronger working memory allows individuals to better cope with distressing thoughts, shift their attention, and respond more calmly to challenges. For people living with cancer, supporting these cognitive and emotional capacities makes daily life more manageable. Improved thinking skills can facilitate treatment adherence, informed decision-making, and a more effective management of the emotional turbulence that often accompanies illness.

The study relied on a convenience sample made up mostly of cancer-related healthcare professionals, and only one cancer survivor participated. To address this limitation, the next phase of research will focus entirely on cancer patients and survivors. Their unique challenges, including cancer-related fatigue and treatment-related cognitive changes, will be central to refining the platform and ensuring that CREATE is tailored to the needs of those it aims to benefit the most. This creates not only a more impactful intervention but also empowers patients to have a voice in shaping the future of supportive cancer care.

As we look ahead, CREATE offers a hopeful vision for digital mental-health support. It is scalable, affordable, and adaptable, making it especially valuable for people who lack access to mental health care. Intervening early and supporting emotional well-being throughout treatment and survivorship may reduce the long-term strain on healthcare services associated with mental health conditions. As cancer treatment continues to evolve, we must make sure that psychological care develops along with it. And CREATE does just that.

Read the full study

References

Ladas, A. I., Katsoridou, C., Gravalas, T., Klados, M. A., Stravoravdi, A. S., Tsompanidou, N., Fragkedaki, A., Bista, E., Chorafa, T., Petrovic, K., Vlotinou, P., Tsiakiri, A., Papazisis, G., & Frantzidis, C. A. (2025). Creativity and REsilience Through Arts, Technology and Emotions: A Pilot Study on the Feasibility and Validity of the CREATE Platform. Brain Sciences, 15(11), 1171.

‌Article by Despina Chrysostomidou, Psychologist, for Kapa3 Research Insights

4 November: International Stress Awareness Day

Stress is a natural response to life’s challenges and changes. It helps us respond, adapt, and stay motivated. But when it becomes prolonged, it can turn into an invisible, exhausting companion that affects every aspect of daily life — body, mind, relationships, and mood. International Stress Awareness Day (4 November) is a reminder to pause, take a deep breath, and acknowledge that mental health deserves the same care as physical health.

In Greece, the mental health burden remains significant. According to the OECD (2023, Country Health Profile), around 6% of the population experiences anxiety disorders, while 7% report symptoms of depression. At the same time, more recent studies in younger age groups show that stress affects a much larger proportion: in a 2020 survey of university students, high levels of moderate to severe stress and extreme anxiety were reported. Additionally, international daily stress measurements indicate that about 58% of Greeks felt stress the previous day, placing the country among the highest in Europe and globally. These figures highlight that anxiety touches a substantial part of the population and significantly impacts daily life, emphasizing the importance of awareness and support.

Stress can manifest in multiple ways: rapid heartbeat, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, irritability, or simply feeling like there’s “never enough time.” Too often we dismiss it as “part of life.” But caring for our mind and emotions is not a luxury — it is a responsibility to ourselves. Support from mental health professionals, physical activity, connection with nature, music, art, or even a simple conversation with someone we trust can become small breaths of balance.

People living with chronic illnesses, including cancer, often face heightened stress. Anxiety about treatment, uncertainty about the future, and the physical impact of disease can intensify tension and worry. Recognizing and validating this stress is essential, as support through networks, counseling, and accessible resources can make a meaningful difference.

At Kapa3, we believe no one should face stress or illness alone. Through our programs, initiatives, and community, we offer guidance, emotional support, and practical help, highlighting that mental well-being is a shared journey and empathy is key.

Today is more than a reminder of the risks of stress. It is an invitation to speak openly without fear or shame, to create space for understanding and acceptance. Let’s learn to listen to our bodies and minds, recognize the signs, and seek help when needed. Calmness is not a luxury — it is a right for everyone.

Read more in previous articles of Kapa3: Article1, Article2, Article3

Sources:

OECD (2023), Country Health Profile: Greece
Stress, Anxiety and Depression Prevalence among Greek University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic (2023, PLOS ONE / PMC)
Gallup Global Emotions Report 2024 – Ελλάδα: Daily Stress Measurement (58%)

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Giving Voice to People with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) in Greece

Promitheas launches MyPBCVoice, an innovative initiative aimed at empowering and supporting people with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) in Greece. PBC is a rare, chronic autoimmune liver disease with symptoms such as fatigue, itching, abdominal discomfort, and psychological challenges.

MyPBCVoice focuses on patient education, information, and mutual support to improve quality of life. Activities include:

Questionnaires to assess patient needs (fill here)
A PBC-focused microsite
Interactive Facebook community for communication and support (join here)
Short videos and vidcasts with patients and experts
Online webinars
Digital archive of complaints and reports to map access barriers

We encourage everyone to share and promote this initiative to reach more patients and health professionals.

Kapa3 is proud to support initiatives like MyPBCVoice, which empower patients and foster connection and knowledge within the community.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Gut Microbiota: A Hidden Ally in Cancer Treatment

Our gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, collectively called the gut microbiota, which play a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and overall health. Excitingly, research is revealing that these tiny residents can also influence the effectiveness of cancer treatments—from immunotherapy to chemotherapy and beyond. Understanding this connection opens new possibilities for more personalized and effective cancer care.

Boosting Immunotherapy through Gut Microbes

Innovative therapies like CAR-T cell therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), oncolytic viruses (OVs), and CpG-oligonucleotide immunotherapy have transformed cancer treatment in recent years. Studies show that the composition of gut microbiota can affect how well patients respond to these therapies.

For instance, certain bacteria—such as Ruminococcus, Faecalibacterium, and Akkermansia—are linked to better CAR-T outcomes, while broad-spectrum antibiotics may reduce therapy effectiveness. Similarly, gut microbes can enhance responses to ICIs by stimulating immune cells that attack tumors. OVs, which work by killing cancer cells and activating the immune system, also benefit from a healthy gut microbiota. Even CpG-based therapies are more effective when gut microbes activate immune pathways.

In short, a balanced gut microbiota can help “turn cold tumors into hot tumors,” making them more responsive to modern immunotherapies.

Gut Microbes and Traditional Treatments

Gut microbiota also affects chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Some microbes can influence drug metabolism, improving efficacy or reducing side effects. For example, bacteria like Enterococcus hirae and Barnesiella intestinihominis enhance the response to cyclophosphamide, a common chemotherapy drug, by activating immune cells.

On the other hand, disruptions in gut microbiota—often caused by antibiotics or radiation—can increase treatment toxicity, leading to issues like intestinal inflammation or mucositis. Promising strategies like fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and certain probiotics have shown potential to restore gut balance, reduce side effects, and improve overall outcomes.

Complementary Approaches: TCM and Probiotics

Traditional medicine can also benefit from gut microbes. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) compounds, when processed by gut bacteria, can transform into more potent anti-cancer agents. Certain TCM herbs and formulas can also promote beneficial bacteria while suppressing harmful ones.

Similarly, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics—foods or supplements that nourish or contain helpful bacteria—can support cancer treatment by strengthening gut immunity, reducing inflammation, and enhancing drug effectiveness. For example, in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, synbiotics have been shown to reduce treatment-related side effects while boosting therapeutic benefits.

Emerging Strategies: Engineering the Microbiota

Beyond diet and probiotics, scientists are developing targeted microbiota interventions to fight cancer more precisely. These include:

Engineered microbes, designed to deliver anti-cancer agents directly to tumors.
Phage therapy, using viruses that selectively kill harmful bacteria.
Nanomedicine and OMVs (outer membrane vesicles), which can deliver drugs or immune-stimulating molecules to tumors while sparing healthy microbes.

These cutting-edge approaches are still under study, but they demonstrate the incredible potential of harnessing gut microbes to improve therapy effectiveness and reduce toxicity.

Looking Ahead: Precision Medicine and Microbiota

The future of cancer treatment may increasingly involve personalized microbiota strategies. By analyzing an individual’s gut bacteria and metabolites, clinicians could tailor therapies to maximize efficacy and minimize side effects. Combining microbiota profiling with multi-omics analysis, AI, and big data could allow doctors to predict treatment response and guide interventions in a way that was unimaginable just a decade ago.

While challenges remain—including differences in individual microbiotas, safety considerations, and regulatory hurdles—the potential is enormous. Gut microbiota represents a promising frontier in precision oncology, offering hope for more effective, safer, and individualized cancer care.

Read the full article here

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Stress Relief

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a program developed by Professor Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, designed to help individuals focus on the present moment by observing thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations with acceptance and without judgment. The program includes guided meditations, mindful movement exercises (such as yoga), breathing practices, and body scans, promoting mental calm, emotional regulation, and stress reduction.

As expected, this approach has been applied to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in cancer patients. A recent systematic review published in BMC Psychology in November 2024 examined the effectiveness of MBSR in breast cancer patients, focusing on outcomes such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, quality of life, post-traumatic growth (PTG), fear of recurrence, pain, stress, and sleep.

The review included 15 randomized studies with a total of 1,937 participants. Results showed that the eight-week program significantly reduced anxiety and depression and improved quality of life compared to a six-week program or usual care. Additionally, post-traumatic growth increased and remained elevated even three months after completing the program. Fatigue decreased at the end of the program, though no statistically significant difference was found at the three-month follow-up. The method did not show significant effects on pain, stress, fear of recurrence, or sleep compared to usual care. Nevertheless, MBSR remains a powerful tool for psychological support.

At Kapa3, we believe that mindfulness can be a valuable aid for those who need it, and the results of this systematic review highlight MBSR’s value as a safe and effective intervention for the psychological support of patients.

Researchers note that a longer program duration allows participants to internalize MBSR practices and develop positive coping strategies. MBSR focuses on conscious attention to the present, with patience, acceptance, and a non-judgmental stance, helping regulate emotions and reduce negative thoughts related to the illness. Regular practice, especially in an eight-week program, appears to enhance positive outcomes, improving both psychological well-being and patients’ perception of their lives.