With a global population of 1.96 billion adolescents, their and wellbeing is crucial for our future.
A new Lancet Commission emphasises that investing in adolescent health has a ‘triple dividend’ — benefitting young people today, the adults they will become, and positively influencing the next generation.
But currently, adolescent health initiatives receive only 2.4% of health development assistance.
Co-director of Burnet’s Women’s Children’s and Adolescents’ Health program Dr Elissa Kennedy, who was one of the commissioners, said young people needed to be involved in policy decisions relating to them.
“Too often, adolescents are dismissed, ignored and excluded from the decision-making process, to their detriment and ours,” she said.
“If we are to truly realise the potential of this generation to shape a healthier and more equitable world, young people must be central to helping drive this change.”
“Adolescence is a time of creativity and innovation, and young people have the unique expertise needed to ensure policies and programs respond to the reality of their lives.”
Without urgent investment, in 5 years more than half of the world’s 10-24-year-olds will live in countries with complex and disproportionately high levels of poor health. This includes challenges in sexual and reproductive health, a rapidly rising burden of non-communicable diseases, overweight and obesity, and poor mental health.
The situation is likely to be exacerbated by recent cuts to global health funding, and attacks on gender and sexual and reproductive rights.
“The second Commission recommends urgent and coordinated action across sectors to address the causes and challenges to adolescents’ health,” Dr Kennedy said.
Meaningful investment and collaboration across sectors are needed to address the challenges facing today’s youth, including addressing the growing impact of long-term illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, cancer and mental health disorders.
“We need to take action to expand young people’s access to health information, services and resources in safe community, digital, educational and healthcare settings,” Dr Kennedy said.
Read more about the Commission’s findings https://www.thelancet.com/commissions-do/adolescent-health-wellbeing