A profile of adolescent health in Myanmar
Around 1 in 4 people in Myanmar is aged between 10-24 years, representing the largest population of adolescents (15 million) in the country’s history.
Objective
This cohort of young people presents a powerful opportunity to improve health and development outcomes for Myanmar: investing in adolescent health not only ensures the health and wellbeing of the current generation of young people, but also lays the foundation for future adult health, and the health of the next generation.
Key to realising this ‘triple dividend’ is understanding the priority health needs of adolescents to inform effective investments.
To date, the needs of adolescents in Myanmar had not been systematically described, representing a major knowledge gap and a barrier to developing responsive policies and programs.
Timeline
2019–2025.
Approach
Using available national data and modelled data from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, we for the first time developed a comprehensive profile of the major causes of poor health, risk behaviours an determinants for 10-24 year-olds. This was presented to the National Taskforce for Adolescent Health and directly informed national policy around adolescent health.
Community impact
Publication is here.
Project contacts

Dr Elissa Kennedy
Co-Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head Global Adolescent Health
Project team

Karly Cini
Research Officer
