Summary of the Report on Adolescent health
This report, published in The Lancet, highlights a critical global issue: the significant underinvestment in adolescent health despite a large and growing adolescent population. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings and recommendations:
Key Findings:
Underfunding: Adolescents (24% of the global population – ~2 billion people) receive only 2.4% of global development and health funding.
Growing Challenges: Adolescents face a multitude of challenges including:
poor mental health & limited support
Rising obesity rates
Digital safety concerns (cyberbullying, misinformation)
Violence (conflict zones & home)
COVID-19 fallout
Limited reproductive rights (especially for young women)
Environmental & climate change impacts
Urbanization: By 2050, 70% of adolescents will live in urban areas, potentially exacerbating poverty, isolation, and housing insecurity.
Violence is Prevalent: Almost half of adolescents have experienced violence, impacting their development. Education Gaps: While high school education gender gaps are closing, a significant portion of young women (almost a third) are projected to be out of post-secondary education, employment, or training by 2030.
Misconception of Health: A common,and damaging,myth is that adolescents are inherently healthy and don’t require dedicated health services.
Key Recommendations/Potential Solutions:
Advocacy & Amplification: Prioritize the needs and voices of young people.
UN-Led Goal Setting: Develop measurable goals for adolescent health through the UN Secretary’s office.
Youth Involvement: Include adolescents in environmental programs and decision-making. Public Health Programs: Scale up programs focused on sexual/reproductive health and gender-based violence reduction.
Cross-Sector Collaboration: Strengthen collaboration between health and education sectors.
Regulation of Advertising: Limit advertising targeting adolescents.
Digital Wellbeing: Promote healthy social media and online practices.
Responsive Health services: Ensure access to confidential and responsive health services tailored to adolescent needs.
Overall Message:
The report stresses the urgent need for targeted action, increased investment, and genuine partnership with* adolescents to improve their health and wellbeing. It emphasizes that the health of this generation is crucial,especially as populations age and fertility rates decline,and that overcoming the challenges requires addressing a pervasive misconception about adolescent health. Lack of national leadership is identified as a major barrier.
