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.

Despite their unique health needs, few health services are tailored specifically to this population, rather, they are treated as either children or adults. Adolescents 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.

Adolescence is a crucial period in which to promote healthy behaviors, as unhealthy habits initiated during this period have lasting impacts through adulthood. In fact, one-third of the total disease burden among adults and nearly 60 percent of premature adult death can be traced to the health of individuals as adolescents.

Living in poverty may exacerbate many of the risk factors for poor health that adolescents face. In 2000, mortality rates for adolescents living in low and middle-income countries were almost four-fold higher than that of adolescents living in high-income countries. Deaths are highest in Africa and Southeast Asia, which together account for two-thirds of adolescent mortality. Interventions that address their needs can save lives and foster a new generation of productive adults who can help their communities’ progress.