The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late 2019, led to an unprecedented global health crisis. As healthcare systems struggled to cope, less attention was given to prevention and health promotion, particularly in areas like immune health, which could benefit from herbal medicine. The use of herbal remedies has been increasing worldwide, largely due to their effectiveness and lower side effects compared to conventional treatments. Contrary to the common belief that only wealthier populations seek modern medical treatments, studies revealed that the use of herbal medicine is more common among socioeconomically advantaged groups. Our project aimed to address this inequality by promoting greater access to herbal remedies across different socio-economic levels. Through family-centered health education, we encouraged self-management practices, such as using herbal remedies to support immune health or assist in the treatment of conditions like childhood obesity, diabetes, and nutritional problems. The project also focused on the development of the Family Health Adviser (FHA) profession. We created a comprehensive training program and competence prof
The rapidly growing demand for medical services, healthy lifestyle practices, and disease prevention highlighted the need for a professionalized approach to family health. However, there was a significant gap in educational offers to organize the dispersed knowledge surrounding family health processes, such as physical activity, diet, mental health, and relationships, especially during crises like the pandemic. The project aimed to address this gap by focusing on health counseling as a preventive measure and support for recovery, yet such efforts had faced limited success in many European countries, including Poland, despite the contributions of partner institutions. Germany, with its higher level of healthcare, was making attempts to develop a health counseling system. Families play a crucial role in public health as they support each other across life stages. Family-based health promotion and disease prevention were identified as essential areas for educational strategies, as the family unit is both a resource and a priority group for preventative and curative services. The project sought to enhance family health systems, foster better decision-making about health behaviors, and increase awareness of how everyday choices affect