YHP Portugal

Location

Municipality of Paredes, Porto District.

Timing

2025 - 2028

The local context

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major health challenge in Portugal. The National Health Plan 2030 prioritises reducing premature and avoidable mortality and the burden of disease and disability associated with NCDs, alongside strengthening health literacy and health-promoting environments.1

Paredes is a municipality in the Porto District. A population-based study published in 2018 of young people aged 14 to 24 in Paredes found that 15.3% drank alcohol regularly, 16.6% smoked regularly and 10.4% used illicit drugs regularly. The average age of first alcohol and tobacco use was around 15.2 These findings underline the value of prevention before and during early adolescence.

Underserved communities face additional challenges linked to social and economic disadvantage. Paredes’ Social Development Plan 2024-2028 identifies gaps in mental health support, long waits for psychology appointments and difficulties accessing social support.3

 

Our objectives

To help young people aged 10 to 14 prevent NCDs and strengthen their mental health by building resilience, emotional skills and confidence to make healthier choices.

Our focus

Empowering young people with the knowledge and skills to reduce NCD risk, support their mental well-being and promote healthier choices among their peers.

Our programme - Like ME and YOU


Through Like ME and YOU, we work with Médicos do Mundo Portugal to deliver school and community health education for young people aged 10 to 14. 

  • Young people help shape activities around their needs and experiences, with peer education central to the programme.
  • Practical workshops build knowledge and skills in healthy eating, physical activity, sleep and the prevention of tobacco and alcohol use, underpinned by mental well-being.
  • Sports, creative activities and role-play help participants develop emotional resilience and confidence to make informed health choices.
  • Young Peer Educators receive additional training in communication, leadership, emotional support, ethics and confidentiality. With ongoing guidance from the Programme team, they plan and deliver activities that share health messages and encourage healthier choices among their peers.
  • Young people also help develop health content for social media and materials for a community exhibition.
  • AstraZeneca employees support workshops and help participants create educational materials through volunteering.

Our targets

By June 2028, we aim to:

  • train and involve at least 90 young people as Peer Educators;
  • deliver at least 40 workshops and educational sessions;
  • increase participants’ knowledge of NCD prevention and mental health by 30%; and
  • reduce reported NCD risk behaviours among participating young people by 20%.

Surveys at the start and end of the Programme will assess changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices.

Our partners

Médicos do Mundo Portugal delivers the Programme. The independent not-for-profit organisation works to improve access to health for people in underserved communities through healthcare, awareness raising, education and capacity building.

For more information, see www.medicosdomundo.pt/projetos-nacionais/projeto-like-me-and-you

In addition, the Municipality of Paredes and the Escola Básica e Secundária de Paredes connect the Programme with the local community and school environment, supporting activities, participation and longer-term integration.

References:

1. Directorate-General of Health, Portugal. National Health Plan 2030. https://pns.dgs.pt/files/2023/09/PNS-2030-publicado-em-RCM.pdf

2. Silva CF, Rocha P, Santos P. Consumption of licit and illicit substances in Portuguese young people: a population-based cross-sectional study. Journal of International Medical Research. 2018;46(8):3042-3052. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300060518767588

3. Municipality of Paredes. Social Development Plan 2024-2028. pp. 19-21. https://www.cm-paredes.pt/cmparedes/uploads/document/file/7682/plano_de_desenvolvimento_social.pdf