WHO: 10 facts on Adolescent Health

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), a huge proportion of the world's population, more than 1.75 billion is young, aged between 10 and 24 years.

Adolescents (aged 10 to 19 years) have specific health and development needs, and many face challenges that hinder their well being, including poverty, a lack of access to health information and services, and unsafe environments. Interventions that address their needs can save lives and foster a new generation of productive adults who can help their communities’ progress.

Below are 10 topics of concern to adolescents that require strategies that will improve their health across the globe;

Adolescent Health

Adolescents are young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), twenty percent of the world population falls within this age range and 85 percent of adolescents live in developing countries. During this period, adolescents sexually mature and most become sexually active.

Even though they are often thought of as a healthy group, nevertheless, many adolescents die prematurely due to accidents, suicide, violence, pregnancy related complications and other illnesses that are either preventable or treatable. Many more suffer chronic ill-health and disability. In addition, many serious diseases in adulthood have their roots in adolescence. For example, tobacco use, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, poor eating and exercise habits, lead to illness or premature death later in life.