Y4H :: Action Areas

Y4H will focus on the following action areas to facitate health advocacy and awareness among youth

Presentation of an appeal with 1 million signatures to the UN Secretary General in September 2007: The Y4H members would present an appeal signed by one million youth and adults, from different parts of the world, to the UN Secretary General in September 2007, outlining the aspirations of youth on health and other developmental issues. The intent of this appeal would be to solicit support for health promoting policies from various Heads of State attending the UN General Assembly.

Global smoke free campaigns: Y4H resolved at the end of GYM 2006, to work in a concerted way to promote smoke-free public places in each country. Y4H members will start advocacy activities to get such a law enacted, incase such a law does not exist in their country. In countries where such a law exists, Y4H members will advocate for its effective implementation and its expansion to include public transport. They will conduct community education campaigns to promote smoke free environments also in home and private transport, so as to protect youth from the dangers of second hand smoke.

These year long smoke-free advocacy efforts of Y4H members at each country level will be evaluated by a committee of 5 global tobacco control experts. Best performing countries and individuals will be recognized on the Y4H website. They would also be invited to the launch of World No Tobacco Day 2008 (31^st May 2008) at WHO- Headquarters in Geneva, to share their experiences with the press. This partnership with WHO-HQ will be coordinated by GYM secretariat at HRIDAY-SHAN.
Peer to peer learning to prevent HIV/AIDS among youth: Y4H members at each country level and in 11 states in India will undertake concerted advocacy to involve their peer groups and communities to support and participate in their campaign for HIV prevention among youth. Life skills education will be delivered to this youth network and peer to peer learning will be promoted, as these young activists take on leadership role in HIV/AIDS prevention in India and other countries. These activities are envisaged to be implemented in a span of one and a half years and would be evaluated in terms of change in the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of youth through qualitative and quantitative measures including, pre and post activity questionnaire administration.

Policies for Promoting Healthy Eating: Healthy eating habits can prevent from chronic diseases and lifestyle related disorders including cardiac problems and diabetes. Y4H would work towards promoting policies for reduction of unhealthy fats and promotion of nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Policies for promoting Physical Activity: An urgent need is felt for contemporary policies on urban planning, education and sports activity focusing on promotion of regular physical activity, which Y4H aims to work towards.