Over 136,000 Ukrainians Reached Through Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Activities by the Ukrainian Red Cross Since the Start of the Full-Scale Invasion

Since February 2022, the number of people experiencing stress and uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine has increased significantly. Amid increasing health challenges and constant anxiety, it is important for everyone to take care of their emotional and physical wellbeing.

To inform people about maintaining physical health, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and preventing disease, the Ukrainian Red Cross implements activities under the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention programme.

Since its launch, 136,314 participants have taken part in 33,608 events. Around 200 volunteers and consultants provide information and practical sessions, hold motivational interviews for those wishing to adopt healthier lifestyles, and organise donor initiatives. The most popular topics included: Healthy Lifestyle – 28,401 participants; Physical Activity and Simple Exercises – 40,622 participants; Blood Pressure Measurement and Hypertension – 20,226 participants.

Overall, the programme covers important subjects such as proper nutrition, prevention of common non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes) and infectious diseases (tuberculosis, hepatitis, COVID-19, etc.), and reduction of harmful habits. Sessions are tailored for participants of all ages to reach as much of the population as possible.

Currently, the Ukrainian Red Cross implements the programme in Kirovohrad, Odesa, Vinnytsia, Chernivtsi, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Zakarpattia, Lviv, Kharkiv, Ternopil, Poltava, and Chernihiv regions. The initiative is supported by partners including the Norwegian Red Cross, German Red Cross, Danish Red Cross, Canadian Red Cross, Austrian Red Cross, French Red Cross, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Remember: your health is the health of your whole family.