Youth at risk: obtaining the highest standard of health worldwide

Member states discuss youth and health risks during the sixty-fourth session of the World Health Assembly.

On May 24 the World Health Assembly paid particular attention to youth and the health risks that impair their well being. Each participating state saw the value of this dialogue and pledged to continue their efforts to address the needs of youth and the obstacles they encounter to leading a healthy and secure life.

“More than 1.8 million young people aged 15 to 24 die each year. A much greater number of young people suffer from illnesses which hinder their ability to grow and develop to their full potential,” (WHO).

Particularly vulnerable are the marginalized and often disregarded youth in developing countries who are all too often malnourished and susceptible to disease. Health education, access to nutritious foods, and outlets for physical exercise are essential to maintaining good health throughout life.

One often overlooked health factor is that of mental health. The WHO estimate that 20 percent of adolescents will experience a mental health problem such as depression or anxiety in any given year.

There are many international instruments in place that support the highest attainment of youth health. Each of the Millennium Development Goals lends to supporting this objective. Additionally, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women make further claims that support youth health.

For instance “About 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 years give birth every year - roughly 11 percent of all births worldwide. The risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes is much higher for adolescents than for older women,” (WHO).

The inadequate state of maternal healthcare worldwide is of great concern to the WHO. Monitoring mechanisms are being put in place to assess the progress being made in countries throughout the world regarding this issue. The WHO urged member states to make this one of their top priorities.

Young people need to be informed regarding the risks they face due to sex in order to effectively reduce unwanted pregnancies and diseases such as HIV/AIDS. This requirement is not being met, however, since youth made up an estimated 40 percent of all new HIV infections in 2008 according to the WHO.

Central issues of concern include harmful habits developed during youth that are continued through adulthood and often prove fatal.

“Nearly two-thirds of premature deaths and one-third of the total disease burden in adults are associated with conditions or behaviors that began in their youth, including: tobacco use, a lack of physical activity, unprotected sex or exposure to violence,” (WHO).

The WHO estimates that 150 million young people regularly use tobacco and half of those users will die prematurely as a result. In addition, the harmful use of alcohol increases the likelihood of traffic accidents (1,000 young people die every day), violence (especially domestic violence), and premature death.

In fact, the WHO estimates that 565 young people aged 10 to 29 years die every day due to interpersonal violence.

Member states called for more data regarding youth health risk and promotion. In addition, many saw the need to allocate more funding to the relates issues. Countries such as the United Kingdom committed themselves to focusing their efforts on the most vulnerable youth first and foremost.

For more information regarding the WHO or the WHA visit www.WHO.int/en/