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Take Care: UEFA's new game-changing initiative for health and well-being

About UEFA Members

We are proud to announce the launch of Take Care – a new programme that will harness the power of football to create and support healthier lifestyles and positive habits, particularly among children and young people throughout Europe.

Launching the UEFA Take Care programme

Take Care will support national associations, leagues, clubs, football stakeholders and schools with a variety of tools to inspire everyone to make positive lifestyle choices, in turn inspiring others to do the same.

"In today’s fast-paced world, our physical and mental well-being face numerous challenges and risks on a daily basis that can have a harmful impact on both ourselves and those around us. Football can serve as an antidote, offering a unique way to help restore balance both on and off the pitch by promoting and encouraging healthier lifestyles. UEFA believes in the power and responsibility of football to inform and raise awareness, and the Take Care programme is a key part of that."

Michele Uva, UEFA director of social & environmental sustainability

Six modules of the Take Care programme

Take Care will be comprised of six modules addressing important and interconnected areas of daily life. Each module will contain a scientific white paper providing in-depth information on the topic, posters, a podcast, a documentary and an educational session, all tailored for key influential figures such as parents or caregivers, teachers, coaches and football staff, and will be rolled out throughout 2025. Each white paper was developed by experts in the field.

Physical activity

Did you know that 80% of adolescents worldwide are not active enough? Sport, and football in particular, can have a positive impact on health, and understanding the benefits of regular exercise is essential for achieving a healthy life.

Nutrition

Did you know that obesity is on the rise as a result of poor food and drink choices and lack of physical activity? Better choices can boost our energy levels, improve our mood and support overall well-being. Raising awareness of the importance of proper nutrition can improve athletic ability and instil healthy habits.

Mental health

Did you know that 20% of adolescents worldwide experience mental health problems? Mental health is as important as physical health, and is closely tied to the choices we make every day, from how we move and what we eat to how we manage stress. Performance pressure, social expectations and peer pressure can weigh heavily on children and young people. The right tools can help them to navigate these critical stages in their life.

Digital addiction

Did you know that children now spend an average of eight hours online per day? In an age of digital dependency, finding the right balance between online interaction and real-life experiences is crucial to social relationships and overall well-being.

Substance awareness

Did you know that young people abusing substances like alcohol and tobacco are more likely to experience psychological distress and disorders? Substance abuse harms physical and mental health, affects academic performance and can impact our relationships. Understanding these risks helps people to make better choices.

Road safety

Did you know that road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death for children and young people? Road safety is the responsibility of everyone who uses the roads and risk awareness can help ensure a safe environment for all.

Special thanks to experts Valter Di Salvo, Matteo Pincella, Francesco Cognetti, and to the team of experts form Terre des hommes, Human Change and the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety for their contribution.

Why has UEFA created the Take Care programme?

We believe in the power of football to make a positive difference to our communities, guiding people towards healthier lifestyle choices and raising awareness of some of the risks threatening their physical and mental well-being.

Take Care has been developed as part of UEFA's Health and Well-being policy, one of 11 pillars within our Football Sustainability Strategy 2030.

Take Care's dedicated launch event

The first module in the programme, centred on physical activity, goes live on UEFA.com on Wednesday 12 February.

To mark the occasion, we will live-stream a special panel discussion at UEFA HQ, featuring UEFA Champions League and EURO 2016 winner Nani, head coach of the Swiss women’s national team Pia Sundhage, and Valter Di Salvo, director of football performance and science at Aspire Academy and the Qatar Football Association.

Register for the live stream