Alarming study: young people worldwide are in health crisis!

Alarming study: young people worldwide are in health crisis!

By 2030, more than half of the world's youth will live in countries where their health and well-being are at serious risk. This is according to a recent report from the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, which highlights alarming trends. According to the report, the health of nearly 1.1 billion adolescents ages 10 to 24 are at risk. The main dangers include HIV, early pregnancy, depression and poor nutrition.

The commission found that despite a slight decrease in smoking and excessive alcohol consumption between 2015 and 2021, the number of overweight young people is increasing worryingly. By 2030 it is estimated that around 24% of female and around 23% of male adolescents will be overweight or obese. This shows an increase compared to 2021, when these values ​​were a good 21% for women and 19% for men. Differences in overweight and obesity primarily affect low-income regions, with rates rising sharply over three decades in some countries in Asia and Africa.

Challenges for the future

In high-income countries, young people are increasingly suffering from non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases. Particularly critical is the current generation of 10 to 24 year olds, who will experience the growing impacts of climate change throughout their lives. Global conflicts and the transition to an increasingly digital world could further exacerbate health challenges for young people.

A supplementary 2024 health report focusing on chronic diseases in children and adolescents highlights the increase in obesity and depression. These topics are considered crucial for health policy measures that serve health promotion, prevention, health care and rehabilitation. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this problem, leading to an increase in depressive symptoms among young people.

Need for action

The health report also shows that there is a fundamental need for action in the care of children and young people with obesity or depressive disorders. There is often a lack of clear treatment paths, but basic documents and recommendations from experts are available. The complex causes and risk factors for obesity and depression, such as low socioeconomic status and physical inactivity, require a holistic approach to healthcare.

The authors of the Lancet study call for increased investment in adolescent health, as this could pay off threefold in the long term. These measures could be particularly important for Africa and Asia, where around 80% of the world's young people live. Increased attention to preventative measures and combating underlying risk factors is therefore essential in order to improve the health situation of young people.

The challenges are complex and require a rethinking of health and social policy in order to meet the needs and risks of the young generation. It is essential for future generations to develop and implement effective prevention strategies.

For more information about the health risks among adolescents, you can read the report from Time read as well as the health report of the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs see.