Over the course of two years, CFC Big Ideas has implemented an IBRD-supported Serving People, Improving Health Project for Ukraine. The project was designed to improve the quality of health services as a part of “Supporting the health care systems reform in Dnipropetrovsk region” endeavor, with special focus on primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The project also aimed to enhance healthcare system efficiency.
According to the World Health Organization, for many years cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been one of the leading causes of premature death in Europe. However, European populations have the opportunity to prevent 80% of premature CVD-caused deaths by controlling primary risk factors: Smoking, poor nutrition, and low physical activity.
The information campaign aimed at educating the target audience about CVD and its risk factors. It also explained how the consequences of unhealthy lifestyles build the necessary link between doctors and the general public, clarifying information that tends to be overpowered by numerous medical terms with language that is more easily understandable to the consumer.
Thanks to a productive collaboration with our partners in government, local authorities, and civil society organizations, we have 1) created a common, cross-channel information field in the Dnipropetrovsk region, 2) improved social sentiment in society by drawing attention to specific problems related to CVD, 3) increased the level of public confidence in medicine, including thorough debunking of myths about CVD, and 4) disseminated practical and useful information on healthy living, adding the region to the project’s map of success.
