Health and Well-being

As part of its Football and Social Responsibility portfolio, UEFA promotes active and healthy lifestyles, encouraging people of all ages throughout Europe to be more physically active (be it through playing football or otherwise) and to eat a balanced diet that is high in fruit and vegetables.

In order to tackle chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer, UEFA is also committed to providing a tobacco-free stadium environment for its major competitions, ensuring fans and other stadium users are protected against the health hazards associated with second-hand smoke.

To help achieve these objectives, UEFA partners with the European Healthy Stadia Network (Healthy Stadia), a public health NGO working with professional football clubs and stadium operators to develop sports stadia as 'health promoting settings'. This holistic approach works across a number of key themes, including:

• Development of stadium policies and practices in support of health (e.g. healthier food options, tobacco-free policies, promotion of active travel)

• Design and implementation of evidence-based community/fan intervention projects (e.g. physical activity programmes, food and nutrition education programmes for young people and families, programmes promoting positive mental health and well-being)

• Initiatives helping to improve club and/or stadium workforce health (e.g. annual health checks, bike to work schemes, staff running/walking clubs).

Healthy Stadia also works with UEFA's member associations on an annual basis to promote good heart health as part of the internationally recognised World Heart Day campaign held on 29 September each year.