Adolescent health at a tipping point!

The health and wellbeing of the world’s adolescents are at a critical turning point, according to a major new analysis published by The Lancet. Without urgent and targeted action, more than one billion young people aged 10 to 24 will still be living by 2030 in countries where preventable and treatable health problems threaten their futures.

The second Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing finds that progress over the past decade has been uneven. Encouragingly, global rates of smoking and alcohol use among adolescents have declined, and participation in education, particularly among young women, has increased. However, these gains are being overshadowed by rising mental health disorders and a sharp increase in overweight and obesity across all regions.

Mental health is a growing concern. By 2030, an estimated 42 million years of healthy life could be lost globally due to mental disorders and suicide among adolescents. At the same time, nearly one-third of adolescents in high-income regions, Latin America and the Middle East are expected to be overweight or obese, increasing the risk of long-term health problems.

The Commission highlights that today’s adolescents are the first generation to grow up facing harsher climate conditions and constant exposure to digital technologies. Climate change, conflict and rapid digital transformation are creating new and complex threats to young people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Despite representing one quarter of the global population and carrying over 9% of the global disease burden, adolescents receive just 2.4% of global development aid. The Lancet calls for urgent investment, stronger leadership and meaningful youth participation, stressing that investing in adolescent health is essential for a healthier, more equitable and sustainable future.