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"Start with yourself": The Ministry of Health of the Nizhny Novgorod region launches an observational study among medical professionals

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Industry development

22.04.2026

The Ministry of Health of the Nizhny Novgorod Region is launching an observational study among medical professionals aimed at correcting excess body weight and preventing cardiovascular diseases, with the support of PROMMED

The "Start with Yourself" program is being launched in Nizhny Novgorod, aimed at weight loss and preventing the risks of cardiovascular diseases, as well as type II diabetes in overweight or obese medical workers. The project is being implemented at the initiative of the Ministry of Health of the Nizhny Novgorod region with the support of the innovative biopharmaceutical company PROMOMED.

On April 21, 2026, at the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Clinical Hospital named after N.A. Semashko, with the participation of Galina Mikhailova, Minister of Health of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, members of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy, Senators Svetlana Kirillova and Sholban Kuzhuget, as well as representatives of PROMOMED, Alexey Mikheev, Executive Director for Work with the Public Health Sector, and Head of the Access Department The launch of the "Start with Yourself" program has been announced for the market of drugs by Victoria Sebyakina.

Participants will be guided, treatment will be prescribed and results will be monitored on the basis of medical and preventive institutions in Nizhny Novgorod according to the protocol approved by the Ministry of Health. The program involves comprehensive routing of participants: assessment of individual risk, correction of nutrition and physical activity levels, work with behavioral habits, and, if indicated, medical support. By supporting the initiative, PROMOMED will provide free access to modern medicines that have proven themselves in clinical practice.

The need to launch the program is confirmed by the data of large epidemiological studies. Clinically obese people have a 51% higher risk of stroke, a more than doubled risk of heart failure, and an 82% higher risk of myocardial infarction[1]. In addition, according to estimates by the Russian Ministry of Health, obesity costs the Russian economy 4% of GDP. Disability losses due to excess weight alone are estimated at 400 billion rubles per year (0.5% of GDP)[2]. A systematic approach to prevention and early detection makes it possible to reduce the prevalence of risk factors and reduce the cost of treating complications.

"Primary care physicians are the main promoters of measures to prevent the development of chronic noncommunicable diseases. Unfortunately, they often forget to follow their own recommendations when they devote themselves to their work and may become overweight and obese. This choice of the program's audience helps both support those who take care of patients on a daily basis and strengthen the culture of personal example in the healthcare sector."

Galina Mikhailova

Minister of Health of the Nizhny Novgorod Region

The Nizhny Novgorod Region's "Start with Yourself" initiative, aimed at reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity, as well as preventing cardiovascular risks, is an example of effective cooperation between government and business in order to achieve the goals of the National Project "Long and Active Life" as soon as possible, such as increasing life expectancy and a healthy life. It is on such initiatives that the health and healthy long life of our citizens are based," commented Svetlana Kirillova.

The program is aimed at achieving the indicators of increasing life expectancy and healthy life expectancy in Russia, defined by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated 05/07/2024 No. 309 on national development goals. The combination of prevention, personalized support and modern therapy forms an understandable and safe route to sustainable risk reduction. This is a contribution to the well-being of the professional community and to improving the quality of medical care for the residents of the region.

"Start with yourself" is based on a simple principle: to maintain the health of those who take care of others on a daily basis. We are convinced that the program will not only make an important contribution to increasing the life expectancy of participants, reducing the frequency and duration of periods of disability, which is especially important in conditions of personnel constraints, but will also increase the enthusiasm of doctors in the region in providing medical care to their patients," said Sholban Kuzhuget. Sources