This September, Latvia will once again join the Europe-wide initiative #BeActiveDay, taking place from 23–30 September 2025. The campaign invites people to discover movement as the simplest and most accessible way to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
Why does this matter?
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, and cancer — are the leading causes of premature death in Latvia. Their impact is strongly linked to our daily habits, particularly physical inactivity.
According to Eurostat, Latvia ranks last in the European Union for Healthy Life Years (HLY) — only 54.3 years for women and 51.2 years for men, compared to the EU average of 62.6 years. This means Latvians spend on average 8–11 more years living with health limitations than most Europeans.
What are Healthy Life Years (HLY)?
HLY measures the number of years a person can expect to live without major physical or mental limitations that restrict daily activities. Calculated using mortality data and self-reported health surveys (Sullivan method), it answers a simple but crucial question: Are the years we live also healthy years?
The answer is in our hands.
The World Health Organization recommends at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity, plus muscle-strengthening exercises at least twice a week. This level of activity significantly lowers the risk of chronic diseases and improves overall well-being.
“Physical activity is the simplest and most accessible way to extend healthy years of life and reduce the burden of chronic disease. Everyone can move — regardless of age or health condition,” emphasizes Gints Kuzņecovs, Chairman of the Latvian Health and Fitness Association.
#BeActiveDay Latvia invites everyone to explore different forms of movement — from walking and light exercise to fitness classes and group activities. It is an opportunity to prove that healthier years are not just a statistic — they are the result of our choices.
Join the movement, because a healthier life begins with a single step!
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