Whether at home or in developing countries around the world, Rotary is building healthier and happier communities.
Our health is the most important thing in our lives.
Health challenges are some of the biggest being faced by the human race, and Rotary members have been making bold and pioneering steps in tackling these challenges for decades.
Diseases can not only cause pain to those suffering, but the implications for loved ones and communities as a whole can be devastating.
Prevention of disease is incredibly important. With access to proper healthcare provision and treatment, we are able to live longer and happier lives.
A healthy community
In Great Britain and Ireland, Rotary is involved in supporting our most critical health problems.
Many Rotary groups are involved in dementia care activities, such as funding dementia cafés which give those living with the disease, and their families, an environment to come together to share friendship and support.
Our involvement with stroke and blood pressure awareness has been longstanding, with community events offering tens of thousands of members of the public free health checks, all run by Rotary volunteers.
Each year, Rotary groups host and participate in the Rotary Ride, a nationwide cycling event held to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer, one of the biggest killers among men in the country.
Rotary in Action
Finger on the pulse
Over the last 14 years, Rotary clubs in Shropshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands have provided 18,000 people with health checks and lifestyle advice.
A healthy world
We aim to improve and expand access to low-cost healthcare in underdeveloped areas.
Our members educate and mobilise communities to help prevent the spread of major diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and polio and sponsor programmes for training health workers.
End Polio Now
Since 1985, Rotary’s key humanitarian priority has been to rid the world of polio.
Polio is a virus which affects children under five and causes paralysis and even death.
Rotary spearheaded the campaign at a time when there were over 1,000 cases a day in 125 countries.
Today, thanks to the tireless efforts of Rotary members and our partners, the number of cases are down by 99.9% and just a handful remain.
Health worker training and vaccination programmes are essential to ensure the world is declared polio-free.
Much of the infrastructure built up as a result of Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign has been utilised across the world to tackle other diseases.
