AstraZeneca Young Health Programme and UNICEF partner to advance health equity in Egypt
AstraZeneca invests over $100 million from 2010 to 2030 in global Young Health Programme, a flagship initiative within its health equity strategy, including new collaboration with UNICEF in Egypt
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Cairo, Egypt, 24 September 2026 – AstraZeneca today announced a total investment of more than US$100 million in its Young Health Programme (YHP) between 2010 and 2030, supporting its commitment to advancing health equity in more than 60 countries. In Egypt, this investment powers a new partnership with UNICEF to empower young people in need aged 10–19 to lead action on non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention, advocate for healthier environments and address the growing health impacts of climate change through awareness campaigns, youth engagement and youth-responsive services.
In Egypt, AstraZeneca and UNICEF partnership will:
- Train and support 5,000 youth prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
- Equip 250 schools and 500 youth centres with youth-responsive services.
- Train 1,500 teachers, 500 youth officers/coaches, and 1,000 outreach stakeholders to strengthen their ability to support NCD prevention and youth-led action.
The partnership aims to strengthen NCD prevention and awareness while empowering young people to take action, advocate for healthier choices and contribute to healthier communities.
This new five-year phase of the YHP builds on 15 years of impact. During that time, the programme directly reached 23 million young people across more than 60 countries. It helped train more than 1 million people and supported youth advocates to positively shape 29 laws and policies. Research by RTI International found that the YHP generates $4.30 in social return on investment for every $1 invested, reinforcing the long-term value of investing early in adolescent health. The next phase of the YHP Global programme aims to reach an additional 10 million young people, train 800,000 youth advocates and help shape 17 public policies worldwide by 2030.
The commitment comes at a time of growing urgency in global health. NCDs are the leading cause of death worldwide, and 70% of premature adult deaths are linked to behaviours that begin in adolescence. By 2050, a staggering 86% of all annual deaths are expected to be caused by NCDs, representing a 90% increase from 2019 levels.
Sherif Nour Country President, AstraZeneca Egypt, said: “Investing in young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can advance health equity and create lasting impact for communities. Through the Young Health Programme in Egypt, we have seen the power of equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to take an active role in shaping healthier communities. As we look ahead, our partnership with UNICEF will build on this strong foundation, reaching more young people, strengthening youth-led action and supporting them to become active advocates for healthier futures.”
Natalia Winder Rossi, UNICEF Representative in Egypt, said: “Investing in the health and wellbeing of young people is an investment in Egypt’s future. The choices, opportunities and support young people have during these formative years can shape their health and wellbeing for a lifetime. Under the leadership of the Government of Egypt, UNICEF is working with partners to ensure that every young person has the knowledge, skills and support to make healthy choices and to play an active role in shaping healthier communities. Our partnership with AstraZeneca’s Young Health Programme will help us take this ambition further – strengthening prevention, expanding youth-responsive support and empowering young people themselves to become advocates for healthier lives and a healthier future.”
Through partnering with UNICEF and a wider global network of more than 60 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including One Young World and YHP founding partner Plan International, the YHP will globally support young people to build healthier habits, strengthen the environments and services that shape their health, and advocate for policy change in their communities and countries. The next phase of YHP from 2026 to 2030 will place particular emphasis on youth-led action, health equity and climate responsiveness, recognising that young people are not only disproportionately affected by these challenges, but also powerful agents of change.
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About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
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For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/egypt/
Notes to Editors:
*UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product, or service.
UNICEF & AstraZeneca Global Video
About AstraZeneca Egypt
This new AstraZeneca YHP partnership with UNICEF Egypt builds on five years of collaboration with Plan Internationa l Egypt, directly reached more than 91,000 young people and indirectly impacted over 1.05 millio n people across 52 schools and 21 healthcare facilities. The program trained 77 peer health educators, 223 healthcare professionals and 513 teachers, mobilized more than 100 AstraZeneca Egypt employee volunteers — representing approximately 1 in 6 of the company’s 650+ employees – and achieved measurable improvements in health knowledge and behaviors, including healthy diet behaviors increasing from 13% to 63%, tobacco-related knowledge from 29% to 71% and knowledge of how to access health services from 51% to 78%.
This impact was delivered in collaboration with five ministries and key national entities. Building on these achievements, the new partnership with UNICEF Egypt marks the next chapter of the Young Health Program in Egypt, further equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and platforms to make healthier choices, engage their communities and contribute to positive policy change.
AstraZeneca Egypt is a science-led biopharmaceutical company with a strong presence in the country since 1968, focused on delivering innovative medicines across key therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular, renal & metabolism, respiratory & immunology, and rare diseases.
With approximately 550 employees, the company supports Egypt’s healthcare ecosystem through its commercial operations and local manufacturing capabilities. AstraZeneca Egypt serves around 7.3 million patients annually and has reached over 95 million people through awareness and healthcare initiatives over the past two years.
As part of AstraZeneca’s global network spanning more than 100 countries, the company collaborates with government and healthcare partners to advance patient access, early diagnosis, and improved standards of care in Egypt.
Please visit astrazeneca.com
