Kyiv hosted the first national forum, ‘Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Building a Healthy Generation’, organised by the Ukrainian Red Cross with the support of the Norwegian Red Cross. The event brought together over 100 participants, including representatives of regional Ukrainian Red Cross teams, partner National Societies within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and organisations working in health promotion.
The forum marked the culmination of a year during which the programme team conducted 23,797 activities, reaching 94,922 people across 13 regions of Ukraine. These activities included workshops, practical exercises, information sessions, and interviews aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing diseases.
“Our work ensures that every person has the opportunity to live in a healthy environment and to develop positive habits within their family and community. This is a long-term investment in quality of life and in the future of our country,” said Tetiana Kiriienko, Acting Head of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programme at the Ukrainian Red Cross.
The forum programme featured presentations by regional teams, panel discussions, group work, and practical sessions. Participants explored community-level programme development, impact assessment, challenges during wartime, and opportunities to scale up activities. Special attention was given to international best practices and the importance of collaboration with government institutions.
Ukrainian Red Cross activities focus on key health promotion areas:
- Healthy nutrition
- Prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases
- Development of healthy habits
- Promotion of physical activity
- Preventing harmful behaviours
By combining information sessions, practical exercises, and motivational interviewing, the programme successfully engaged people of all ages and highlighted the importance of maintaining health during wartime, when stress, lifestyle changes, and limited access to healthcare increase risks for the population.
The Health Promotion and Disease Prevention team will continue to expand the programme in close collaboration with partners and government institutions, extending its reach within communities and introducing new approaches to engagement. The ultimate aim remains the same: to support Ukrainians in embedding healthy lifestyle practices at the family, community, and national levels.
