Aid in Milan’s core mission is to build a healthier community. And a critical part of that IS the community.

A community isn’t just about the people who happen to live next to you. A community is rich in resources. It is where we come together in difficult times to find support, or support someone else. But a solid community doesn’t just make us feel good. those with adequate social networks had a 50% greater survival, compared with those who had poor social relationships. Social support has also been found to be particularly important in increasing resilience and promoting recovery from illness.

On the other hand; discrimination, stigma and social exclusion can create barriers to social connectedness, which can impact overall health and well-being negatively. A lack of support and social relationships can cause chronic loneliness, which produces long-term damage to physiological health through increased stress hormones, weaker immunity, and cardiovascular health. This sense of loneliness can also make it more difficult to build willpower and resilience over time, leading to engagement in unhealthy behaviors.

Check out these photos of our community in action and having fun with each other at Aid in Milan events and activities: