Healthy Lungs for Life: PHURDA Ukraine
For World Lung Day 2026, we’re highlighting the work of PHURDA Ukraine, a Healthy Lungs for Life grant winner helping young people understand the importance of lung health, healthy choices and a healthier environment.
What are you doing for World Lung Day, and who will you be reaching?
We run a range of awareness campaigns on social media to engage a wider audience with the importance of lung health.
Our work also focuses on young people, helping children understand lung health, the environment and the impact of harmful habits from an early age.
Why is this work important for lung health throughout life?
Understanding lung health starts in childhood. Our goal is to increase health literacy, raise public awareness and engage officials and other stakeholders in dialogue about improving lung health at national level.
What is the one thing you want people to understand or do differently?
We want people to understand that society can be an active participant in change. Our daily decisions have consequences for our health, our environment and future generations.
Looking after our health, protecting the environment and quitting harmful habits are not just about future risks – they are about what is happening today.
Can you share a moment that brings your work to life?
Our project received a lot of positive feedback from schools where we implemented the Healthy Lungs 4 Life project.
One teacher told us:
“The lecturers told the children about lung health in an interesting, accessible and interactive way. The children received an important message: the power of the mind lies in the ability to say a firm ‘NO’ to bad habits. We will be happy to join the project again.”
Other regional education departments also became interested in the project, with the aim of involving more young people in lung health.
What inspired you to apply for the Healthy Lungs for Life grant?
Children are our future, and understanding of lung health, ecology and harmful habits is shaped in childhood.
We want to draw the attention of officials to the need to include these important topics in school education. Only systemic changes can make a long-term difference.
What is your hope for the future of lung health?
We believe society will understand that responsibility for the future is in our hands. We hope the tobacco industry will be more strongly regulated and that society will become more responsible through educational projects such as Healthy Lungs 4 Life.