Young Carers’ Voices represented in Youth Advisory Group of JA PreventNCD
Pårørendealliansen is delighted to announce that Robin K. Andreassen, advisor at the Norwegian Alliance for Informal Carers (Pårørendealliansen), has been selected as a member of the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) within the EU-funded Joint Action on Preventing Non-Communicable Diseases (JA PreventNCD) project.
This marks a significant step forward for the visibility and inclusion of young carers in European health initiatives. As a passionate advocate for **young adult carers (YACs)**, Robin brings to the table the voice of a group that is too often overlooked in public health discussions—young people who provide regular care to family members or loved ones affected by illness, disability, or addiction.
What Is JA PreventNCD?
JA PreventNCD is one of the largest collaborative health initiatives in Europe, bringing together over 100 institutions from EU member states and partner countries. Its mission: to support and scale up comprehensive, evidence-based strategies that prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions. These diseases are among the leading causes of premature death and long-term illness in Europe, placing enormous pressure on both health systems and families.
Funded by the European Union, this initiative contributes directly to key EU health priorities such as Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the Healthier Together – EU NCD Initiative.
Young Voices Matter
One of the most exciting aspects of JA PreventNCD is its commitment to intergenerational inclusion through the formation of a Youth Advisory Group (YAG). The YAG consists of 32 young people from across Europe, serving in an advisory role to ensure that the project’s activities are inclusive, relevant, and responsive to the needs and realities of younger generations.
Robin’s involvement in this group ensures that the specific experiences of **young carers** are recognized and integrated into the development of NCD prevention strategies. His work at Pårørendealliansen includes leading the **first-ever Norwegian youth council for young adult carers**, giving voice to a growing group of young people balancing caregiving with education, employment, and their own health.
Including young carers in projects like JA PreventNCD is more than symbolic—it is a structural change. By ensuring that prevention efforts reflect the lived realities of diverse populations, including youth and informal carers, the project lays the foundation for sustainable, equitable health systems across Europe.
This demonstrates a growing recognition that caregiving roles among youth have implications for both mental and physical health—and that these must be addressed as well in public health planning if we are to achieve meaningful prevention outcomes.
To learn more about JA PreventNCD and the Youth Advisory Group, visit https://preventncd.eu
For information about YAG you may contact Robin rka@parorendelliansen.no
Robin K. Andreassen
