In the Nizhny Novgorod region, the program "Start with Yourself" has been launched.

      On April 21, the launch of the "Start with Yourself" program took place at the N. A. Semashko Nizhny Novgorod Regional Clinical Hospital. The project aims to correct excess body weight and prevent cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes among medical workers with excess weight or obesity. The initiative is being implemented at the initiative of the regional health ministry with the support of the biopharmaceutical company "PROMOMED".

      The launch occurred during the visit of participants in the "Social Route. Mobile Senator" project. The event was attended by members of the Federation Council's Committee on Social Policy Svetlana Kirillova and Sholban Kuzhuget, Minister of Health of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Galina Mikhailova, and Executive Director of "PROMOMED" Alexey Mikheev.

      The regional Ministry of Health reported that the management of program participants, therapy appointments, and monitoring of results will be carried out at medical and preventive institutions in Nizhny Novgorod according to a special protocol. The program includes comprehensive routing, including individual risk assessment, nutrition correction, and physical activity level adjustment, working on behavioral habits, and, if there are medical indications, medication support.

      According to epidemiological studies, people with clinical obesity have a 51% higher risk of stroke, more than double the risk of developing heart failure, and an 82% increased likelihood of myocardial infarction.

      Galina Mikhailova emphasized that the program is aimed at supporting medical workers and strengthening the culture of personal example in healthcare.

      Svetlana Kirillova noted that the region's initiative contributes to achieving the goals of the national project "Long and Active Life".

      During the visit, the implementation of the federal project "Diabetes Under Control" was also discussed. In March 2026, an agreement on cooperation was signed between the Council for Regional Health under the Federation Council and the Scientific Medical Center for Endocrinology named after I. I. Dedov. The work aims to establish a complete cycle of assistance to patients—from early diagnosis to rehabilitation.

      Senators reported that over the past twenty years, the number of patients with diabetes in Russia has approximately doubled. The positive experience of the Nizhny Novgorod region and other regions, including the mobile "Diamobile" within the "Golden Ring of Russia," is planned to be analyzed and scaled.

      The national project "Long and Active Life" has been implemented since 2025 by order of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It includes 11 federal projects: "Health for Everyone," "Modernization of Primary Healthcare," "Medical Personnel," "Fighting Cardiovascular Diseases," "Fighting Cancer," "Fighting Diabetes," "Fighting Hepatitis and Minimizing Disease Spread Risks," "Improving Emergency Medical Care," "Developing Federal Medical Organizations, including the Development of a Network of National Research Centers," "National Platform 'Health'," "Optimal Medical Rehabilitation for Health Recovery."