Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes remain among the most serious health challenges for Ukrainians. They have the greatest impact on the quality and duration of life. The statistics speak for themselves: about 60% of premature deaths in Ukraine are caused by cardiovascular diseases — they claim the lives of over a thousand people every day. The situation with diabetes mellitus.More than 1.3 million Ukrainians already have this diagnosis, and about the same number live with diabetes without even suspecting it.
Mental health has become a separate challenge in recent years. The war significantly affected the psychological state of the population: according to WHO estimates, up to 10 million Ukrainians may face some psycho-emotional disorders as a result of military events.
That is why regional specialists of the State Institution "Kharkiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine" systematically conduct mass educational and communication activities with elements of short-term interventions - health screenings - for residents of the city of Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region. Such activities are aimed at forming a culture of a healthy lifestyle among different age groups of the population, reducing the risks associated with smoking and alcohol consumption, unbalanced nutrition, low physical activity and other factors.
During 2025, 2585 people were covered by screening examinations. Unfortunately, the results obtained are alarming. 28.91% of the examined were found to have high blood pressure, 24.51% of the glucose level in capillary blood did not meet the normative indicators, and 361% of the examined were overweight or obese. During electrocardiography, cardiovascular system disorders were recorded in 42.51% of the examined. According to the results of examinations by doctors (general practitioners and pediatricians), health problems were detected in 25.31% of adults and 151% of children. Oncologists (gynecologists and dermatologists) were also involved in the screenings: 15.61% of the examined persons were sent for additional examination to the Regional Oncology Center. The mobile teams were staffed by psychotherapists and psychologists who provided professional advice, recommendations, and, if necessary, prescribed treatment. In total, 47 people received mental health consultations.
During the screenings, the Center's specialists conducted a questionnaire and a comprehensive assessment of risks, in particular cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and mental health disorders. The questionnaire covered about 990 people. Analysis of the questionnaires showed that almost half of the respondents were in a state of stress, anxiety or had signs of depressive disorders. The results of the stroke risk assessment are particularly alarming: among people with high blood pressure over 50% have a high risk of its occurrence.
Given the importance of timely identification of non-communicable disease risks, in 2026 the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, together with partners, launched the "Health Screening 40+" program. It aims at early detection of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and mental health problems among people aged 40 and over.
You can find out more about the program at the following links: screening.moz.gov.ua
Remember: timely diagnosis is a chance to preserve health and save life.