Mexico: Empowering Young People to Practice Healthier Habits
In Partnership with AstraZeneca, Project HOPE is addressing noncommunicable diseases among adolescents and youth
Washington, DC (12 August 2024) – This International Youth Day, Project HOPE is shining a spotlight on the AstraZeneca Young Health Programme (YHP) in Mexico, which seeks to empower young people to practice healthier habits. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in Mexico and one in three children is overweight. The program, now in its sixth year in Mexico, is targeting adolescents and youth to reduce the risk-behaviors that lead to NCDs later in life.
“AstraZeneca’s YHP focuses on the prevention of noncommunicable diseases by creating spaces for young people to discuss topics like the benefits of physical activity and healthy eating, the importance of mental and emotional health, the risks related to alcohol and smoking, and social and health-related issues like sexuality and pollution,” said Corina Martínez, Project HOPE’s country director in Mexico. “We seek to ensure that young people have the information and skills,to reduce risk behaviors and make positive life decisions, while ensuring access to quality health services and a support system to contribute to their full development.”
NCDs are the leading cause of death in Mexico, and the country suffers from some of the highest rates of obesity in the world. 65% of the overall population is overweight and 30% are obese. One in three children there is overweight or obese, and rates have been steadily rising over the past four decades. Consequently, tens of millions of Mexicans, especially children, are at risk of developing chronic illnesses associated with excess weight, including diabetes and heart disease.
In 2019, Project HOPE began implementing AstraZeneca’s YHP to reduce risk-behaviors among youth that lead to NCDs later in life. The program is run by trained peer educators and focuses on working with, listening to, and supporting young people to increase their understanding of NCD prevention-related behaviors, mobilize community support, strengthen health services, and advocate for an enabling policy environment. In 2023, a total of 94,143 youth were reached with health information.
“What motivates me every day as part of AstraZeneca’s YHP and Project HOPE Mexico is that these young people are helping by sharing the information received in the sessions with their family, friends, and classmates. This gives me the confidence to help them,” says Yoseline Osorio, a participant of the program who is now serving as a program facilitator. “It motivates me that young people get excited with me to do activities or replicate them with their other classmates. Thanks to this program, I made the decision to start exercising. I had never exercised before but giving that care and love to my body has been one of the best decisions I have made.”
Project HOPE has been supporting health systems in Mexico since 1999. Initially, the organization’s focus was on comprehensive HIV/AIDS care through training programs and community outreach. Over the years, efforts have expanded to address NCDs like diabetes and hypertension, including establishing patient education initiatives, providing professional trainings, and building community support structures for affordable NCD care.
Access photos from the program here. For media inquiries, contact media@projecthope.org. Interviews are available in English and Spanish.
###
About Project HOPE
Founded in 1958, Project HOPE is a leading global health and humanitarian organization operating in more than 25 countries around the world. We work side-by-side with local health systems to save lives and improve health. Our mission is at the epicenter of today’s greatest health challenges, including infectious and chronic diseases, disasters and health crises, maternal, neonatal and child health and the policies that impact how health care is delivered. For more information on Project HOPE and its work around the world, visit www.ProjectHOPE.org and follow us on Twitter @ProjectHOPEorg.
