AVISOR inspires community action for healthy lungs in Mozambique

Associação Visão Social da Rapariga (AVISOR) brought together hundreds of people in Chimoio, Mozambique, on 27 September 2025 to spotlight lung health and raise awareness of how to keep the lungs healthy. In collaboration with the European Lung Foundation (ELF) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS), the event celebrated World Lung Day (25 September 2025) and offered a mix of community-driven activities designed to engage and inform.

The morning began with an aerobics session and was followed by a public march for lung health, a health exhibition and talks on lung health and environmental factors. Around 500 people took part directly, while media and social media engagement extended reach to over 2,500 more.

AVISOR held sessions at local universities in the days before the event, giving young people and future health professionals the opportunity to learn more about air pollution, climate change and lung health, with an emphasis on prevention and environmental awareness. The organisation has a specific focus on empowering women and young people, and this was a key theme in their activities.

On a limited budget of €1,000, the event successfully raised awareness of lung health issues and strengthened collaboration between the public, health institutions, local authorities and local youth. The success of this grassroots initiative shows how local community-level action, with the support of small grants, can translate global health campaigns into meaningful action.

With plans to expand these activities across more districts, integrate lung-health education in schools and continue advocacy for clean air and smoke-free environments, AVISOR is working to leave a legacy for healthy lungs across the Manica Province and beyond.