Kerala Youth Battle Rising Lifestyle Diseases

A new health campaign, 'Arogyam, Anandam - Vibe for Wellness,' has been inaugurated at Kerala's Azhankal Walkway in Karamana. This initiative seeks to combat the growing prevalence of lifestyle diseases among the state's youth, a demographic increasingly affected by conditions like heart attacks and cancer.

The campaign's model is inspired by successful public health strategies implemented in Finland, which significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality through community-driven dietary and lifestyle changes. Organizers expressed a strong intention to scale this effort beyond Thiruvananthapuram, with plans for statewide expansion across Kerala in the coming month.

Jointly organized by local groups, the campaign included interactive sessions addressing concerns about popular diets and women's health. Trained student volunteers assisted participants in understanding calorie intake and the importance of protein-rich foods. Free blood sugar and blood pressure screenings are now available every Saturday at the walkway.