Kazakhstan

In collaboration with the WHO Country Office in Kazakhstan, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Lifestyles organized a range of activities for the week 2–7 April 2012 aimed at increasing awareness among politicians/decision makers, health workers, medical students and older persons on the topics of healthy ageing and effective interventions for healthy ageing. The activities were implemented by regional branches of healthy lifestyles services, health institutions, local authorities and civil society organizations in two cities (Astana and Almaty) and in each of the country's 14 regions. 

The central event was a joint press conference in Astana on 7 April held by the Ministry of Health and the WHO Country Office to promote key aspects of health system reform in Kazakhstan, including promotion of healthy lifestyles, prevention of injuries and improving access to primary health care and social services for older persons. 

Regional activities included:
  • public information and education activities, e.g. open days at health and cultural institutions, workshops and presentations in counseling services of primary health care institutions (on diabetes, hypertension and healthy nutrition among other topics);
  • training workshops for librarians (in Almaty);
  • sports events in all 14 regions of Kazakhstan, linking schools, educational institutions, social care institutions and veteran associations;
  • cultural events and distribution of health education and promotion materials, through concerts, photo exhibitions, poetry competitions and library exhibitions;
  • meeting of celebrities and prominent leaders with older persons in health and social care institutions for veterans and for the disabled, to present experiences of healthy ageing and discuss local challenges that older persons face;
  • roundtables and press conferences on gerontology: inviting renowned veterans to speak about how healthy lifestyles contribute to healthy ageing;
  • media campaign: active coverage during the entire week on internet, local and national radio and television, and in newspapers.