Rio de Janeiro expands free health, fitness and education services through new community programs

The Centro Universitário CBM‑UniCBE, with support from the state research foundation FAPERJ, has opened a free physical‑activity and physiotherapy program for residents of Santa Cruz and other West Zone neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro. The initiative operates from the university’s Human Development Laboratory and involves multidisciplinary student teams providing exercise sessions, nutritional guidance and about 200 physiotherapy consultations per month.

In the neighboring municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, the new Centro Comunitário da Baixada (CCB) is set to open on Saturday. Coordinated by community leader Adriano Charutinho and partnered with municipal departments, the center will offer free professional courses, school‑age tutoring, psychological support, and cultural‑sports activities such as ballet and capoeira, aiming to boost social inclusion and job skills for local residents.