Community-based health programs to prevent heart disease

Abstract Background Since 2008, "Health Days" have been periodically held in the our community as charity projects. After interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and socio-political challenges during the war since 2022, in October 2024 the events were restored and expanded to "Health Day" "Health Week", which took place in our city . Medical tents across the city offered free health checks such as blood pressure measurements, diabetes screenings, vision tests, and infectious disease testing. A key feature of these measures was the introduction of terenkur for health trails and Nordic Walking in 4 public parks in our city. Purpose This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of community-based health programs, focusing on the outcomes of the „Health Day/Week" initiative. The study assesses the prevalence of common health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, vision problems and infectious diseases among participants, and examines how programs like this, along with terenkur routes, contribute to improving public health in war-affected communities. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was performed on health screening data collected during the "Health Week" event. Over five days, 9,128 individuals were surveyed across 31 locations in Lviv and suburbs. Screenings included blood pressure measurements, glucose tests, vision checks, and tests for hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis, and flat feet. Data were analyzed to identify trends and prevalence of health conditions in the community Nine lectures on disease prevention were conducted, engaging a total of 374 attendees. Results The health screenings revealed a significant burden of preventable and treatable health conditions. A significant portion of individuals had elevated blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and signs of vision impairment and flat foot. A smaller proportion tested positive for hepatitis B and C, HIV, and syphilis. A number of people signed family doctor declarations, improving access to ongoing healthcare. Conclusions Community health programs, such as "Health Day/Week," are effective in identifying undiagnosed health conditions and raising awareness, particularly in conflict-affected and post-conflict settings. The screenings highlighted the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases and infections that require immediate attention. These programs also provide valuable opportunities for increasing healthcare engagement, as evidenced by the signing of family doctor declarations. The integration of terrenkur trails into the community’s health initiative further promotes physical activity as a preventative measure for cardiovascular diseases and overall well-being. Moving forward, such initiatives should be incorporated into broader public health strategies to ensure ongoing access to healthcare, improve early detection of health issues, and build resilience in communities affected by conflicts.Table 1:Results of health screening as