World Service–Funded Programs

Health Education

The global YMCA movement is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles, particularly among young people.  In fact, YMCA programs focused on reducing health risks, raising awareness of adolescent reproductive health and preventing drug abuse reach more than one million youth annually. Through education and socially relevant programming, YMCAs empower people to make healthy choices.  The YMCA also offers extensive support to youth and families struggling with health crises and often acts as an advocate to ensure open access to social and economic opportunities within the community.

Case Study

The YMCA of Ethiopia

A peer educator from the YMCA of Ethiopia’s ADVANCE program discusses issues related to sexual health.

One of Ethiopia’s public health challenges is confronting the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people due to poor access to health services, lack of sexual health information, stigmatization of orphans, and the vulnerability of girls and young women.  Sustaining long-term development, however, will depend on its ability to improve the health and education of youth who represent the majority of the population. The YMCA of Ethiopia, established in 1947, is responding to the crises through an innovative youth-led program which aims to improve the health knowledge, practices, and care of tens of thousands of young people and their families. To read more, click here.

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